HISTORY OF RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE IN PAKISTAN

Pakistan officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a country in South Asia. Pakistan has the 5th world’s largest population which is 212.2 million. It is the 2nd most populous Muslim country. Pakistan’s population is 96.28% Muslim. The remaining 4% follow Hinduism, Christianity, Ahmadis, Sikhism and other religions. Around 75–95% of the population practices Sunni Islam and 5–15% Shia Islam. Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. When Pakistan became independent — it had liberty on all grounds. India was bound to give assets to the new state. On the other hand, Pakistan as a new state had numerous crises. With time, things get better. Pakistan as a state was not so rigid on religion although the state’s religion was Islam. Pakistan was on a road to prosperity. Muhammad Ali Jinnah — the father of the nation said that non-Muslims would be equal citizens in Pakistan. He nominated many Hindus, Christians and Shias for many important positions. Dewan Bahadur Singha, Cecil Chaudhary, Deena M. Mistri, Bapsi Sidhwa, Danish Kaneria, Jamsheed Kaikobad Ardeshir Marker, Julius Salik, Rana Bhagwandas, Sister Gertrude, Geoffery D. Langlands, Iqbal Masih, Bohemia, Mary Emily Gonsalves, Ramesh Singh Arora, William Desmond Harney, Lynette Viccaji, Ardeshir Cowasjee, Indu Mitha, Byram D. Avari, Anil Dalpat, Antao D’Souza, Frank Messervy, Aban Marker Kabraji, Anthony Theodore Lobo, Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta, Jamsheed Kaikobad Ardeshir Marker, Alvin Robert Cornelius, Michael Nazir-Ali, Tridev Roy, Rustam S. Sidhwa, Shahbaz Bhatti, Wallis Mathias, Władysław Turowicz, Comrade Sobho Gianchandani, Dorab Patel, Ruth Pfau, Hercharn Singh, Hugh Catchpole, Jimmy Engineer, Perin Cooper Boga, Faridoon Sethna, P.K. Shahani, Peter Christy, Mervyn Middlecoat, Eric G. Hall, Nazir Latif, Jack Britto, Maneck Sopariwala, Joseph Cordeiro, Zeeshan Labh Masih, Khushnud Mussarat Azariah, John Permal, Nayyer Firdous and Shahid Bashir… are some notable Pakistani non-Muslims. Pakistan made these non-Muslims respectable. Pakistan was at its best 4,5 decades ago. Pakistan was a very modern state. Then on the desire of some people — religious extremism got birth in Pakistan. Issues started financially and socially. At that time non-Muslims were even allowed to preach their religion openly in any public place. I have seen even a decade ago, Christian preachers used to distribute Holy Bibles and Biblical movies in the Market. They were used to show the ‘JESUS’ movies in public places. The Pakistani nation was tolerant of religion. There were opportunities for minorities to flourish. But, now the government has banned these types of activities because of people’s intolerance (religiously) for each other. Non- Muslims private institutions were forcefully nationalized. Especially Christians in Pakistan are affiliated with the profession of health and education. Most Christians are teachers and nurses. But, depriving themselves of their hospitals, colleges and schools led them to backwardness. With every day, religious intolerance is getting high. Getting news about someone killing non-Muslims just because of religious differences. Every day is a new incident. There are numerous incidents that are based upon religious intolerance and discrimination. Protests, religious honor killings, blasphemy issues are getting worse every day. Many non-Muslims are getting asylums in many countries because of this social and religious intolerance. Pakistani non-Muslims getting asylums and being persecuted don’t make Pakistan’s image good globally. Pakistan on Independence day had more than 20% of minorities. Pakistan’s flag reflects the rights of minorities. Many extremist political and religious parties are being acknowledged and appreciated that have the agenda to attack non-Muslims' lives and belongings. Their shield is 295-C blasphemy laws. Pakistan extremist mob uses Blasphemy laws and religious conversion (forced) as their weapons. Extremists misuse these laws. There should be an amendment to these laws. Pakistani people want to see a mosque in the US but, they cannot tolerate a temple in Islamabad. They want good positions in the U.K but, they don’t give rights to their minorities. Killing someone on anything is just a piece of cake in Pakistan.

Just have a look at Old Pakistan:

New Pakistan:

Pakistan Zindabad!

Thanks for reading!