Economist Atif Mian has drawn attention to differences in religious representation in the legislatures of Pakistan, India and the United States, comparing the number of Muslim lawmakers in the two countries with the representation of non-Muslims in Pakistan.

In a detailed post on X, Mian examined how religious minorities are represented in political institutions despite their respective shares of national populations.

According to the figures highlighted in his comparison, eight Muslim lawmakers serve in the 535-member US Congress, while approximately 24 Muslim members were elected to India’s lower house of parliament in the 2024 general elections.

Together, the two countries have 32 Muslim lawmakers in their national legislatures.

The comparison also examined Pakistan’s National Assembly, where only one non-Muslim member has been directly elected on a general seat.

Pakistan’s Constitution separately provides 10 reserved seats for non-Muslims in the National Assembly, which are filled through proportional representation.

Mian’s comparison has brought renewed attention to the way electoral systems, constitutional arrangements and population shares shape minority representation in different democracies.

The discussion also raises broader questions about political participation and equal representation in elected institutions.