Religious minorities in Pakistan

Minorities In Pakistan And Their Effects On Pakistani Culture

Religion as state policy

Pakistan has always used religion as a key policy since its establishment, as evident from the resignation letter of its first Law Minister, Jogendar Nath Mandal, from Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan's cabinet:

"In my discussion with you on more than one occasion, I gave expression to this view of mine. I must say that this policy of driving out Hindus from Pakistan has succeeded completely in West Pakistan and is nearing completion in East Pakistan too."

Jogendar Nath Mandal was appointed by Quaid e Azam M Ali Jinnah for completion of first constitution of Pakistan.

"About fifty lakh Hindus have left since the partition of the country. Apart from the East Bengal riot of last February, the reasons for such a large-scale exodus of Hindus are many. The boycott by Muslims of Hindu lawyers, medical practitioners, shopkeepers, traders, and merchants has compelled Hindus to migrate to West Bengal in search of their means of livelihood. The wholesale requisition of Hindu houses, even without following due process of law, and the non-payment of any rent whatsoever to the owners have compelled them to seek Indian shelter. Payments of rent to Hindu landlords were stopped long before. Besides, the Ansars against whom "

Religious minorities

Christian

The Church of Pakistan is a member of the Anglican Communion. The Roman Catholic Church also maintains churches and some of the best schools in Pakistan.

Hindu

Sindh had a rge Hindu population before independence, and they remain a presence in the province. [Of course, Sindhi Hindus are also a major presence in India--for example, in the business sector with names such as Godrej, Ambani, and others being big in that country (give me one more example).

There are many sites of great religious, historical, and/or mythological importance in the North part of Pakistan.

Jewish

• See Op Ed by Prof. Adil Najam at: https://archive.is/20130113102722/www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_16-9-2005_pg3_3

Sikh

The founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, was born in what is now Pakistan at Nankana Sahib. Guru Nanak was respected by both the Muslims and Hindus. When Guru Nanak passed away, the local Muslims wanted to bury the Guru's body while the Hindus wanted to cremate. Both sections of the community played a part the Guru's final rites.

To quote the SikhiWiki,

"Historical Gurdwaras in Pakistan are an essential part of Sikhism and form an important part of the history of Sikhism. The Punjab was only divided in 1947 when the separate nations of India and Pakistan were formed. Prior to this period, the whole of the area covered by the two countries was one nation.

"A significant part of the Sikh history is linked to places that are now in Pakistan."

See the article in that Wiki on Gurdwaras of Pakistan for a brief list of the important places of Sikh history that are in Pakistan.

Parsis

A very small minority numbering fewer than five thousand. See Wikipedia:Parsi.