Pakistan
In Pakistan there is a large gap between official government statements about religious freedom and the reality of life for religious minorities. At the moment the state is neither preventing nor punishing vigilantism, while the loudest, most aggressive voices of extremism intimidate and sideline other demands for free expression and debate.
The last few years have seen an increase in religiously-motivated violence in Pakistan, targeting both non-Muslim and Muslim minorities. Perpetrators are rarely brought to justice and, as a result, religious minorities are viewed as ‘easy targets’. Other concerns include threats to human rights activists, lawyers and judges, and the abduction, forced marriage and forcible conversion of non-Muslim women and girls. Disproportionately high poverty and illiteracy levels add to the disempowerment of Christian and Hindu communities, leaving them more susceptible to abuse and less able to secure justice or compete on equal terms with other Pakistani citizens. Discrimination in the education and employment sectors is widespread.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have long been a serious cause for concern. Little has been said publicly on the issue since the assassinations of Salmaan Taseer, Governor of Punjab, and Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, in early 2011, but the frequency of new cases is not decreasing and many in minority communities live in fear of their lives being destroyed by a blasphemy accusation.
Latest news
Pakistan: blasphemy accusation triggers burning of homes in Christian neighbourhood in Lahore 09/03/2013
Pakistan: Supreme Court brings Rimsha Masih case to a close 16/01/2013
Pakistan: Rimsha Masih case thrown out by High Court 20/11/2012
Pakistan: Rimsha Masih case remains in limbo after High Court hearing 14/11/2012
An in-depth look at Pakistan’s blasphemy laws 08/10/2012
Rimsha Masih granted bail in Pakistan blasphemy case 07/09/2012
Pakistan: Repeated adjournments delay Rimsha Masih hearing while alleged case instigator is charged with blasphemy 04/09/2012
Pakistan: Rimsha Masih hearing delayed after medical report challenged 30/08/2012
Pakistan: Young Christian girl accused of blasphemy awaits hearing tomorrow 29/08/2012
Heart And Soul - The Trouble with Pakistan’s White Stripe 21/08/2012
Pakistan: charges against 11 year-old girl spur controversy and calls for blasphemy law reforms 21/08/2012
Violent lynching demonstrates ongoing power of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan 06/07/2012
CSW "deeply saddened" by death of Pakistani war hero and human rights activist Cecil Chaudhry 14/04/2012
No justice one year after assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti 02/03/2012
“Jesus was prepared to die for me, so I am prepared to die for Him.” 01/03/2012
more...
Response magazine
CSW in action:Freedom for the Nations conference 01/01/2012
Countering violence with hope in Pakistan 01/09/2011
PRISONER/CASE UPDATES Sad news from Pakistan 01/05/2011
Prisoner/case updates: Please don’t forget Qamar 01/11/2010
Silencing Pakistan’s blasphemy laws 01/09/2010
Pakistan Government responds to calls from Christian minorities 01/03/2010
Calling all prayer warriors 01/09/2009
News update 01/03/2008
Tens of thousands approve charter of demands for religious minorities in Pakistan 01/11/2007
Prisoners of Conscience Appeal Fund 01/09/2007
Fearing Freedom 01/09/2007
A fine line to walk 01/10/2006
A Cartoon Too Far 02/04/2006
Blasphemy laws cause more violence in Pakistan 01/02/2006
Delegation meets Prime Minister of Pakistan 25/11/2005
more...
Prayer diary
Pray for Pakistan 14/04/2013
Pray for Pakistan 19/08/2012
Pakistan 19/09/2011
Pakistan 18/09/2011
PAKISTAN 26/06/2011
PAKISTAN 19/06/2011
Pakistan 28/11/2010
Pakistan 12/09/2010
Pakistan 28/03/2010
Together we overcome 22/11/2009
Pakistan 15/10/2006
Press releases
Pakistan: blasphemy accusation triggers burning of homes in Christian neighbourhood in Lahore 09/03/2013
Pakistan: Supreme Court brings Rimsha Masih case to a close 16/01/2013
Pakistan: Rimsha Masih case thrown out by High Court 20/11/2012
Pakistan: Rimsha Masih case remains in limbo after High Court hearing 14/11/2012
Rimsha Masih granted bail in Pakistan blasphemy case 07/09/2012
Pakistan: Repeated adjournments delay Rimsha Masih hearing while alleged case instigator is charged with blasphemy 04/09/2012
Pakistan: Rimsha Masih hearing delayed after medical report challenged 30/08/2012
Pakistan: Muslim clerics demand fair treatment for Rimsha Masih ahead of tomorrow’s hearing 29/08/2012
Pakistan: charges against 11 year-old girl spur controversy and calls for blasphemy law reforms 21/08/2012
Violent lynching demonstrates ongoing power of blasphemy accusations in Pakistan 06/07/2012
No justice one year after assasination of Shahbaz Bhatti 02/03/2012
Pakistan: CSW marks first anniversary of Salmaan Taseer’s killing 04/01/2012
Religiously-motivated murder of Hindus in Pakistan draws widespread condemnation 15/11/2011
Pakistan: CSW reiterates call for government crackdown on vigilantism as Taseer’s killer is convicted 04/10/2011
Pakistan: APMA condemns official investigation into Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder 22/08/2011
more...
Reports
Pakistan: Universal Periodic Review 14th session - CSW Stakeholder Submission 23/04/2012
PAKISTAN: Religious freedom in the shadow of extremism 01/06/2011
Parliamentary visit to Pakistan 30/08/2005
CSW visit to Pakistan 25/10/2004
Religious freedom update - Pakistan 01/09/2004
