Pakistan, being an Islamic country poses multi-racial and multi-religious sects.
These multi-racial and multi-religious sects comprise Muslims in the majority, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Baha I faith, Buddhists, and Ahmadis. Pakistan’s 1973 constitution assures religious freedom to all these religious minorities who occupy a minor part of the whole population. More importantly, Islam itself carries great respect and empathy for different religions and teaches its followers to do the same. It is a religion based on love, devotion, and harmony. It strongly denies discrimination based on race, caste, and religion. In Islam there is a term, “Zimmi”, used to describe religious minorities, and Pakistan being an Islamic state is accountable for their protection. Even Quran says, “One who kills a man under covenant (i.e., Zimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise. The verse clarifies that Islam denies mistreating humanity based on a different faith. In Islam, all are equally respectable in every sect of life. Considering the perspectives and views which Islam has for religious minorities a question hit hard whether religious tolerance has any role in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Notwithstanding, it is hard to predict religious tolerance coming possibly in Pakistan with its prejudiced attitude towards religious minorities. Thus, this article illustrates that to what extent religious freedom exists in Pakistan, and to which level the constitution of Pakistan is being applied. Moreover, the piece aims to depict the role of primary sources in promoting peace and harmony among different sects and the performance of government for religious minorities. At last, what initiatives to be taken to bring a unified nation under a Muslim polity such as Pakistan. Pakistan emerged as an independent country on 14 August 1947. At the time of partition, the population of Muslims was in majority, and there was a minor civilization of other faiths. After the partition, the founder of Pakistan Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his first speech for the constituent assembly on 11 August 1947, addressed the respective minorities with the mentioned words. You are free; you are to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State” (Jinnah 2013). By his speech, Jinnah made it clear to the nation that minorities of different beliefs can fully enjoy social and diplomatic liberties within the state of Pakistan and the state will treat them as equal citizens. Moreover, the constitution of Pakistan gave rights to the minorities to choose, practice, and profess any religion of their choice. Additionally, freedom to choose and practice religion is protected by International law. Yet, a sense of discrimination and prejudice towards religious minorities have deepened roots, and over three decades discrimination against religious sects spreading alarmingly. A surge in extremism can be widely seen in every area of Pakistan. Religious intolerance is getting a dangerous shape with each passing day which is a point of concern. Religious minorities are exposed to hatred in several ways. The main reason behind religious intolerance is that we lack patience and forgot the basic learnings of Islam. The brutal killing of Mashaal khan (a university student) is evidence of a lack of tolerance for different perspectives. These religious extremists are found to be those who carry little knowledge about Islam and its point of view towards other faiths. On the other hand, they are being misguided in the hands of some religious political parties whose main agenda is gaining political power. At the moment, Pakistan counts as one of the most dangerous places for religious minorities. The decreasing population of religious minorities is what demonstrates that Pakistan is no more a safe country for them. For example, the Hindu minorities were about to be 1.6 percent in the 1951 census and now it has been reduced to 1.2 percent. Reports show a considerable number of Hindus from Sindh and Balochistan migrated to India is an indication of our failed system which is unable to safeguard its minorities from violence and bigotry. If one goes into analysis from an Islamic point of view, so Islam ensures religious freedom to all humanity. It has been clearly defined in our holy Quran, "There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error” By this verse, it gets cleared that forcing some to change their religion or faith is supposed to be a huge sin. Islam also teaches us to adopt the religion of Islam after being fully aware of it. That is why we are asked to think, observe, and analyze things deeply. The holy Quran invites people to adopt Islam; however, it never impels someone to have faith in God. The Holy Quran declares that combining all humanity is not something to acquire and nor God wants this. If it were his wish, he would create humans based on one faith. On the contrary, Islam focuses on humanity, kindness, and peace among all human beings. Even the last prophet Muhammad (SWAA) did not force someone to adopt Islam while he influenced them by the teachings of Islam. He showed them a reflection of Islam through his immense kindness, love, and affection towards all humanity. It has never been addressed by the holy Quran to battle against other faiths and destroys their places of worship. The word "Jihad" has been misinterpreted repeatedly. However, it comes to be a duty "for defending religious freedom and for self-defense” and “defending those who are oppressed” Even The Holy Quran educates us not to prevail in riots and disputes. Islam only teaches to prevail peace and harmony among all religions. The role of primary sources of Islam such as clerics put a great hand in surging religious intolerance. Students at the madrassas and mosque are being brained washed and getting a sense of hate towards non-Muslims. They are the ones who don't know the basic learnings of Islam. Such teaching is not only limited to madrassas, but also in universities and other workplaces. A great number of people look after other sects with hatred and discrimination. They treat other sects based on cast, faith, or creed rather than based on humanity. Due to such prejudiced behavior, religious minorities see themselves in a very vulnerable situation. Even many of them hide their actual identity given being judged. Educational curriculum or school textbooks are supposed to be a reflection of the whole political and national ideology of a nation. School textbooks hold huge importance as they portray perspectives for cultural and political communities in the shape of statements; especially, for the coming generation. However, reports indicate that the content in Pakistani schools’ textbooks frequently narrating bias, bigotry, and inferiority related to non-Muslim or to none- Islamic faiths. Moreover, they demonstrate none-Muslim minorities to be the rival of the Muslim community. As a result, a concept of racism, fanaticism, and extremist get shaped in the minds of the students at an early age. Consider a quote was taken out from the tenth grade Urdu textbook: “Because the Muslim religion, culture, and social system are different from non-Muslims, it is impossible to cooperate with Hindus.” Showing such a generalized and stereotypical image of religious minorities depicts that creating a sense of harmony is not even possible because of the difference in culture and faith. Such types of perspectives make it impossible for the coming generation to accept the Hindu community as part of the country. In contrast, it teaches to treat Hindus as outsiders. Unfortunately, the educational curriculum never addressed the actual picture of religious minorities such as their basic rights and their commendable contributions in bringing Pakistan as a separate nation but spreading hate and prejudice among different communities. Surging intolerance against minorities made life arduous for them. They have no right to practice their religion freely. Cases of forceful conversion to Islam are being reported every next day. Their belief and faith are mostly disrespectful. They feel a lack of availability of their worship places. A report by the Parliamentary Human Rights Group (2010) reveals that religious minorities face intimidation, oppression, and can not profess their faith under the radicalized society of Pakistan. According to Gregory and Valentine (2009) Pakistan is supposed to be a dangerous territory where religious minorities endure hated and bigotry. In addition, media has also become a tool to spread negativity for religious minorities. A religious program host on 30th September 2008, marked a statement in his program that followers of the Ahmadi sect are wajib-ul-qatl, consequently making it compulsory to assassinate all Ahmadis’ followers. Following the statement, two well-known members of the sect were killed right after the statement was made. In March 2013, the Christian community in Panjab was targeted by a mob attack, and many homes were set on fire when a Christian man was alleged for blasphemy. The same year a Hindu community center located in Southern Pakistan was bombed given blasphemy concerns. Moreover, two mosques of Ahmadi located in Model Town and Garhi Shahu, Lahore were targeted on 28 May 2010, causing ninety-six casualties. Minorities Rights Group International (2013) placed Pakistan on top of its"People under Threat” global ranking. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF 2013), in its Annual Report, proclaimed 200 attacks on religious groups along with 1800 casualties due to religious-related violence which is the highest in the world. A state is accountable for the protection and security of its citizens beyond race, sect, or religion. Unfortunately, religious minorities under Pakistan territory do not expect any hope from the rulers. Officials are badly failed to make them feel safe under the state of Pakistan. Whenever they are targeted, they receive no empathy from the ruler's side. It also indicates a threat to the rights of religious freedom. In this regard, the establishment needs to be more active. Recent New Zealand terrorist attacks on the Muslim community can be well illustrated here. The response from the government and the people was commendable. They showed great empathy and solidarity with victims. Such a response from the administration level delivers a clear picture to extremists and puts a halt to rising intolerance. However, it is hard to anticipate such a gesture from the state of Pakistan where religious extremist has taken deep roots and the silence of the government putting things in worst forms. Pakistan has been blessed by different sects and communities belonging to several faiths. • Being an Islamic country, it must be its priority to protect and defend its religious minorities, prevail in religious freedom, and spread peace and harmony among all sects. Many initiatives need to be operated for achieving a unified society such as understanding each other’s faiths deeply. The role of clerics pays great value here. They are responsible to bring basic perspectives of Islam in the sight of people and make clear that Islam strongly prohibits discrimination, racism, and prejudice toward humanity. Moreover, the educational curriculum focuses on the positive side of religious minorities rather than illustrating them as hostile. The government also be more active in this regard and provide religious freedom to all sects. There won't be any threat to their places of worship. Religious minorities and their role in establishing Pakistan as a whole country can not be suppressed anyhow and judging them constantly based on their religion are not what the constitution asks for. It is time to get rid of the stereotype ideologies that our religion strictly restricts and work for peace harmony and development as being one nation.