Human rights in Pakistan

The situation of human rights in Pakistan is complex as a result of the country's diversity, large population, its status as a developing country and a sovereign, Islamic republic as well as an Islamic democracy with a mixture of both Islamic and secular laws. The Constitution of Pakistan provides for fundamental rights, which include freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of information, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and the (conditional) right to bear arms. The Clauses also provide for an independent Supreme Court, separation of executive and judiciary, an independent judiciary, independent Human Rights commission and freedom of movement within the country and abroad. However it is debatable how much these clauses are respected in practice.

Khawaja Nazimuddin, the 2nd Prime Minister of Pakistan stated: "I do not agree that religion is a private affair of the individual nor do I agree that in an Islamic state every citizen has identical rights, no matter what his caste, creed or faith be". Though the Constitution includes adequate accommodation for Pakistan’s religious minorities, in practice non-Sunni Muslims face religious discrimination in both the public and private spheres (for example – non Muslims cannot hold any of the top positions in the country's government and non-Muslims have restrictions placed on which candidates they may cast their vote for). In response to rising sectarian and religious violence, the Pakistani government has unveiled several high-profile efforts to reduce tension and support religious pluralism, giving new authority to the National Commission for Minorities and creating a Minister for Minority Affairs post. Nonetheless, religious violence is still common throughout Pakistan. Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and Zoroastrians, face violence, intimidation, as well as periodic charges of blasphemy, which carries a death penalty. Other than the above religious minorities, attacks against Shia Muslims, who make up between 5–20% of Pakistani Muslims, have also become commonplace.

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