Background of Christianity in Pakistan
Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and is the world’s second-biggest Muslim-majority nation, having an estimated population of 205,788,828 people in 2019. As per the official religion of the country, Pakistan is an Islamic state, and Islam is believed to be the main inspiration behind the government laws. Despite that, Pakistan boasts a multiethnic and multi-religious culture and hosts a range of different communities of different religions like Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism etc. As per the latest data available from 2017, Christians are present in all provinces of Pakistan, representing the second largest non-Muslim population of the country, with about 3.22% of the total population.
It is believed Christianity was brought to Pakistan in the first century but has only truly flourished since the arrival of the British in the 19th century. Christianity also spread due to the European missionaries who set up schools and small churches, especially in the provincial capital of Punjab, Lahore. Churches have also established in major cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar. Furthermore, the Christian communities are manifested in the villages of Pakistan by the presence of places of worship, missionary activities, educational institutions, and social action programs.
Status of Christianity in Pakistan
Despite the presence of Christian communities in different parts of the country, Pakistan’s government is considered to be hostile towards Christianity, especially after 1977. Ever since then, the freedom of religious minorities in the country has become increasingly restricted. Christians have faced severe legal and social discrimination, including discriminatory laws such as the blasphemy laws. These laws are used by the government and the majority Muslim population to target and persecute Christians for the smallest display of faith. As the country’s majority culture is based on Islamic values, practices that go against Islam, such as changing of faith from Islam to Christianity, are usually met with dire consequences.
Christians in Pakistan are also confronted with social intolerance as they have to face religious prejudice in many aspects. For instance, they cannot have public displays of their religious symbols like crosses or symbols of the other religion, even in private places. They are also deprived of the right to worship freely as Christian places of worship are very rarely given land or construction permits. Furthermore, Christians are not hired in some public-sector jobs and in some restaurants or hotels.
Efforts to Promote Christianity in Pakistan
Despite facing a large degree of discrimination and difficulties, there are people and organizations dedicated to promote Christianity in Pakistan and help religious minorities in the country. For example, some Christian charities focus on providing education and work opportunities to the Christian community in Pakistan. They also aim to create an environment where Christians can practice their faith without fear.
There have also been efforts by foreign countries and international organizations to promote Christian values in Pakistan. For example, the United States has provided financial support to Christian-run schools and universities in Pakistan. Additionally, the British government has launched projects and initiatives to promote religious freedom and tolerance in the country. These have included grants to build new churches and providing aid to Christian communities in need.
Moreover, there are some Pakistani organizations, such as the Christian Development Foundation of Pakistan (CDF), which are devoted to advocating for Christian rights in Pakistan. The CDF works to ensure respect for the sanctity of human life and seeks to build a society which defends the principles of human rights and mutual respect. In addition, the organization is solely devoted to the welfare of Pakistan’s Christian community and works to provide guidance and legal representation for those who experience threats or violations of their religious rights.
Persecution Against Christianity
Even though Pakistan is a multi-religious country, religious minorities are still subjected to different forms of persecution, including physical attacks, threats, and discrimination. Between 2014 and 2019, hundreds of cases of religious discrimination, religious intolerance, and violence have been reported in the country. Most of these cases have involved violence against Christians, including forced conversions and physical attacks. Moreover, religious minorities, such as Christians, have been denied fundamental rights, including access to public services and even employment.
In July 2020, the deadliest attack against Christians in Pakistan’s history was carried out in Quetta when a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Church of the Resurrection of Quetta. The attack left 10 people dead and several others injured. The terrorist group Islamic State of Khorasan Province has taken responsibility for the attack. This has caused further fear and anxiety among the country’s Christian community.
Ideological Challenges
Apart from legal and physical persecution, Pakistani Christians also face ideological challenges, primarily in the shape of exclusivist fundamentalist interpretations of Islam. Such interpretations of Islam view Christians as blasphemers and as enemies of the faith. This has resulted in an environment of intolerance and discrimination towards Christians, with Christian communities feeling alienated and fearful of their faith.
This ideological aggression is seen in widespread social discrimination against the converts, who face harassment and violence due to their faith. They are denied fundamental rights such as the right to practice their faith freely. This can be seen in the recent attack in Quetta, where the only church in the town was attacked and the community was left feeling helpless.
Lack of Awareness
Despite the persecution and discrimination that Christian communities face in Pakistan, there is still a lack of awareness about this issue. The international community is often unaware of the plight of Pakistani Christians and the lack of religious freedom that they face on a daily basis. This is due to the lack of attention given to this issue in the international media and the political landscape. As a result, the Christian communities in Pakistan are not getting the help and support that they require.
Furthermore, the Pakistani Christian community is also quite small in comparison to other religious communities in the country. This makes them vulnerable and has limited their access to services and resources. They are also less able to voice their protests and create awareness of their plight, which increases the level of fear and insecurity they feel.
International Interventions
The lack of international media coverage and the absence of international support have prompted some international organizations to intervene. For example, the United Nations and the European Union have taken steps to ensure that minorities in Pakistan, including Christians, have access to justice and security. In 2019, the UN launched a project to protect religious minorities in Pakistan, including Christians. The project seeks to combat discriminatory practices and provide equal opportunities to all citizens.
Moreover, a number of international aid agencies providing food, medical aid and other supplies to the Pakistani Christian community. For example, World Vision International has provided support to Christian communities in the country by providing food aid, health services, and education to its members. Additionally, the Catholic Relief Services has provided aid to Catholic churches worldwide, including in Pakistan.
Domestic Action
Apart from the international interventions, there are organizations within Pakistan which are working to create awareness of the situation faced by the Christian community in the country. One such organization is All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), which is a grass-roots organization that works to promote the rights of religious minorities in the country. In addition, the National Commission for Minorities has attempted to protect the Christian minorities in Pakistan by submitting a report which calls for the repeal of the blasphemy laws and for the enforcement of laws which protect the rights of religious minorities.
Additionally, Pakistani Christian organizations are attempting to bring about positive change. For example, Siraj-ul-Haque is a Christian organization which works to bring about social and political change in the Pakistani Christian community. The organization has launched projects to provide access to education and create employment opportunities for members of the Christian community.
Conclusion
Christians have been a religious minority in Pakistan for centuries and continue to face persecution in the country. The blasphemy laws, social intolerance, ideological challenges, lack of awareness, and limited access to resources and services are some of the challenges faced by the Christian community in Pakistan. Despite this, various organizations within and outside Pakistan, have taken steps and launched initiatives to promote religious freedom and create awareness of the challenges faced by the Pakistani Christian community.
