There have been daily attacks against the properties of minorities and their religious sites in Pakistan due to blasphemy charges that are fake or erroneous.

In a recent study on the blasphemy issue in Pakistan, a local think tank, the Centre for Research and Security Studies, disclosed that 89 people were extra-judicially killed over blasphemy allegations in the country between 1947 and 2021.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-lawmakers-seek-sanctions-against-pakistan-bill-sent-to-us-foreign-affairs-committee-461213" hreflang="en">US lawmakers seek sanctions against Pakistan; bill sent to US Foreign Affairs Committee</a>

The report also found that 1,287 citizens were accused of blasphemy between 2011 and 2021, which is when TLP was most active and expanded its support base across the country.

Pakistan has the second-strictest blasphemy laws in the world after Iran, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom Report (2016). But the most worrying fact is that, in most blasphemy cases, the perpetrator is either eulogised as the "saviour" of Islam, in case they receive a judicial sentence, or released under the pressure of religious extremists.

Mob justice is not a new phenomenon in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Some of the cases that gained prominence include that of a mentally challenged man being stoned to death by an angry mob on February 12 for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/faced-with-no-trust-vote-desperate-imran-khan-rushes-to-powerful-godman-for-support-460846" hreflang="en">Faced with no-trust vote, desperate Imran Khan rushes to powerful godman for support, but is denied meeting</a>

A mob vandalised and set ablaze a police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Charsadda district in November 2021 after the local authorities refused to hand over a man arrested for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran.

The lynching of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan factory manager, in Punjab's Sialkot city in December is still fresh in the memory.

In Pakistan, extrajudicial vigilantism isn't the only reason for killings over blasphemy accusations. The reasons for their actions range from religious to political to personal and petty disputes, as well as international connections.

Extremists support the most severe implementation of draconian blasphemy laws in order to subjugate lower-class citizens, Ahmadiyyas and Shias, as well as Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan: 19 including opposition JUI-F members arrested

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-19-including-opposition-jui-f-members-arrested-461125/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

These laws are a legacy of the Islamic military dictator General Ziaul Haq, who used them to appease hard-line Islamist forces in Pakistan.

Under Imran Khan, however, the menace of blasphemy killings has reached a new height with the government giving space to Islamist groups such as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a Sunni Barelvi outfit.

As a result of the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan, hard-line Islamist forces in Pakistan have gained strength. All of these factors point to more blasphemy killings in the future.

There have been daily attacks against the properties of minorities and their religious sites in Pakistan due to blasphemy charges that are fake or erroneous. In a recent study on the blasphemy issue in Pakistan, a local think tank, the Centre for Research and Security Studies, disclosed that 89 people were extra-judicially killed over blasphemy allegations in the country between 1947 and 2021.

There have been daily attacks against the properties of minorities and their religious sites in Pakistan due to blasphemy charges that are fake or erroneous. In a recent study on the blasphemy issue in Pakistan, a local think tank, the Centre for Research and Security Studies, disclosed that 89 people were extra-judicially killed over blasphemy allegations in the country between 1947 and 2021. Also read | US lawmakers seek sanctions against Pakistan; bill sent to US Foreign Affairs Committee The report also found that 1,287 citizens were accused of blasphemy between 2011 and 2021, which is when TLP was most active and expanded its support base across the country. Pakistan has the second-strictest blasphemy laws in the world after Iran, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom Report (2016). But the most worrying fact is that, in most blasphemy cases, the perpetrator is either eulogised as the "saviour" of Islam, in case they receive a judicial sentence, or released under the pressure of religious extremists. Mob justice is not a new phenomenon in Pakistan. Some of the cases that gained prominence include that of a mentally challenged man being stoned to death by an angry mob on February 12 for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran. Also read | Faced with no-trust vote, desperate Imran Khan rushes to powerful godman for support, but is denied meeting A mob vandalised and set ablaze a police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Charsadda district in November 2021 after the local authorities refused to hand over a man arrested for allegedly desecrating the Holy Quran. The lynching of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan factory manager, in Punjab's Sialkot city in December is still fresh in the memory. In Pakistan, extrajudicial vigilantism isn't the only reason for killings over blasphemy accusations. The reasons for their actions range from religious to political to personal and petty disputes, as well as international connections. Extremists support the most severe implementation of draconian blasphemy laws in order to subjugate lower-class citizens, Ahmadiyyas and Shias, as well as Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs. Watch | Pakistan: 19 including opposition JUI-F members arrested These laws are a legacy of the Islamic military dictator General Ziaul Haq, who used them to appease hard-line Islamist forces in Pakistan. Under Imran Khan, however, the menace of blasphemy killings has reached a new height with the government giving space to Islamist groups such as Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a Sunni Barelvi outfit. As a result of the Taliban's victory in Afghanistan, hard-line Islamist forces in Pakistan have gained strength. All of these factors point to more blasphemy killings in the future.

Blasphemy accusations, mob lynchings against religious minorities on a rise in Imran Khan's Pakistan

The condition of minorities is worsening in Pakistan and their numbers are declining by the day.

Minorities in Pakistan are severely charged on minor allegations, leading to punishments like the death penalty. Blasphemy laws, in most cases, are used to fulfill a personal vendetta.

Religious minorities are living a life under siege in Pakistan.&nbsp;The country's stance on them exposes its&nbsp;hypocrisy.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-failed-judicial-system-fails-14-year-old-christian-girl-318946">Pakistan's failed judicial system fails 14-year-old Christian girl</a>

In February, Imran Khan issued a warning that&nbsp;anyone targeting the non-muslim population of Pakistan will be dealt with strictly. He declared that minorities are equal citizens of his country. However, his actions have fallen way short of his lofty words.

Since August 2018,&nbsp;after Imran Khan took power,&nbsp;at least 31 members of the minority community have been killed, 58 have been injured in targeted attacks and 25 blasphemy cases have been filed. At least seven places of worship for the minorities have also come under attack.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/pakistan/another-minor-hindu-girl-kidnapped-in-pakistan-forcibly-converted-to-islam-308021">Another minor Hindu girl kidnapped in Pakistan forcibly converted to Islam</a>

The Shia Muslims, Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and Sikhs make up the minority community in Pakistan. All of them, without exception, have been targeted under Imran Khan.

The Shias,&nbsp;specifically, the shia hazara community, continue to suffer violent attacks.

According to one claim,&nbsp;at least 509 Shia Hazaras have been killed in violence since the 2012.

Under Imran Khan, at least 24 members of this community were killed last year.

In April last year,&nbsp;an attacker detonated a bomb at a vegetable market in Quetta. The target were the Hazaras.

The Christian community in the country has been perpetual sufferers of violence and discrimination.

Asia Bibi, a woman belonging to this&nbsp;community had spent almost a decade in prison on blasphemy charges&nbsp;before&nbsp;she was acquitted in 2018.

But, she couldn't leave the prison for weeks because in Pakistan religious leaders are above the law.

When hardlines laid seige to major cities in Pakistan, Imran khan was helpless before the radicals.

He couldn't ensure the safety of Asia Bibi and her five children in their own country and they had to be whisked out of Pakistan and&nbsp;took asylum in France.

The Ahmadiyya community&nbsp;represents less than one percent of Pakistan's population continue to be&nbsp;attacked. They boycott elections in protest.

Nearly 90 percent of Ahmadis in Pakistan's Rabwah boycotted the election in 2018.

So far, no leader has addressed their concerns. Their places of worship have been vandalised.

There are laws that make it illegal for Ahmadi Muslims to recite the Quran. They are also not allowed to have Islamic inscriptions on headstones or even call their place of worship a&nbsp;mosque.

Under Imran Khan,&nbsp;nothing has changed. The Ahmadis remain doomed. They face constant attacks.

In this year alone, a group stormed into a mosque. Local authorities could not do anything. So, the Ahmadis had to hand over their mosque to hardliners.

And there's no end to stories of the plight of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan.

According to the human rights commission of Pakistan, close to one thousand young Hindus and Christians are forced to convert to Islam every year.

Last year,&nbsp;a 19-year-old sikh girl was forced to convert to islam. She came back home after a 30-member committee of the Sikh community put pressure on the government.

Attacks on hindu temples are frequent. Last year, a large mob in Sindh vandalised a temple. This was after a Hindu principal was accused of blasphemy.

In the month of may, the Imran Khan government announced the formation of the national commission on minorities.

The cabinet decided to include the Ahmadis, only to drop them later. The Pakistani government faced a backlash, it had to keep the Ahmadis out.

So, Pakistan's minority commission has no representation from the Ahmadis. The minority group,&nbsp;that faces the most severe persecution in Pakistan. This case alone exposes Imran Khan's farce on minorities.

The condition of minorities is worsening in Pakistan and their numbers are declining by the day. Minorities in Pakistan are severely charged on minor allegations, leading to punishments like the death penalty.

The condition of minorities is worsening in Pakistan and their numbers are declining by the day. Minorities in Pakistan are severely charged on minor allegations, leading to punishments like the death penalty. Blasphemy laws, in most cases, are used to fulfill a personal vendetta. Religious minorities are living a life under siege in Pakistan. The country's stance on them exposes its hypocrisy. Also read: Pakistan's failed judicial system fails 14-year-old Christian girl In February, Imran Khan issued a warning that anyone targeting the non-muslim population of Pakistan will be dealt with strictly. He declared that minorities are equal citizens of his country. However, his actions have fallen way short of his lofty words. Since August 2018, after Imran Khan took power, at least 31 members of the minority community have been killed, 58 have been injured in targeted attacks and 25 blasphemy cases have been filed. At least seven places of worship for the minorities have also come under attack. Also read: Another minor Hindu girl kidnapped in Pakistan forcibly converted to Islam The Shia Muslims, Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and Sikhs make up the minority community in Pakistan. All of them, without exception, have been targeted under Imran Khan. The Shias, specifically, the shia hazara community, continue to suffer violent attacks. According to one claim, at least 509 Shia Hazaras have been killed in violence since the 2012. Under Imran Khan, at least 24 members of this community were killed last year. In April last year, an attacker detonated a bomb at a vegetable market in Quetta. The target were the Hazaras. The Christian community in the country has been perpetual sufferers of violence and discrimination. Asia Bibi, a woman belonging to this community had spent almost a decade in prison on blasphemy charges before she was acquitted in 2018. But, she couldn't leave the prison for weeks because in Pakistan religious leaders are above the law. When hardlines laid seige to major cities in Pakistan, Imran khan was helpless before the radicals. He couldn't ensure the safety of Asia Bibi and her five children in their own country and they had to be whisked out of Pakistan and took asylum in France. The Ahmadiyya community represents less than one percent of Pakistan's population continue to be attacked. They boycott elections in protest. Nearly 90 percent of Ahmadis in Pakistan's Rabwah boycotted the election in 2018. So far, no leader has addressed their concerns. Their places of worship have been vandalised. There are laws that make it illegal for Ahmadi Muslims to recite the Quran. They are also not allowed to have Islamic inscriptions on headstones or even call their place of worship a mosque. Under Imran Khan, nothing has changed. The Ahmadis remain doomed. They face constant attacks. In this year alone, a group stormed into a mosque. Local authorities could not do anything. So, the Ahmadis had to hand over their mosque to hardliners. And there's no end to stories of the plight of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan. According to the human rights commission of Pakistan, close to one thousand young Hindus and Christians are forced to convert to Islam every year. Last year, a 19-year-old sikh girl was forced to convert to islam. She came back home after a 30-member committee of the Sikh community put pressure on the government. Attacks on hindu temples are frequent. Last year, a large mob in Sindh vandalised a temple. This was after a Hindu principal was accused of blasphemy. In the month of may, the Imran Khan government announced the formation of the national commission on minorities. The cabinet decided to include the Ahmadis, only to drop them later. The Pakistani government faced a backlash, it had to keep the Ahmadis out. So, Pakistan's minority commission has no representation from the Ahmadis. The minority group, that faces the most severe persecution in Pakistan. This case alone exposes Imran Khan's farce on minorities.

Pakistan's stance on religious minorities exposes its hypocrisy

In yet another example of subjugation of minorities in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-passport-slips-further-in-ranking-becomes-fourth-worst-for-overseas-travel-273052">Pakistan</a>, Multan bar association passed a resolution which forbids non-Muslim lawyers including Ahmadis to participate in the Bar council elections in the city, local media reported.

The resolution was presented by the lawyers of the district bar association of Multan.

It stated that the lawyers contesting bar elections will also need to submit an affidavit to prove their faith in Islam, Naya Daur reported.

Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/pakistans-minorities-are-a-diminishing-population-247293">minorities</a>.

Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-pakistans-failure-to-protect-minorities-compelled-india-to-bring-citizenship-amendment-bill-265778">religious minorities</a>, manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam among others, making Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region.

The condition of minorities is deplorable in Pakistan.

They have always been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-is-committing-systematic-genocide-of-minorities-baloch-hrc-secretary-249141">mistreated</a> and suffered injustices from fellow civilians and the administration. Pakistan administration has always patronised religious, ethnic, cultural and racial disagreements to further their regime.

In yet another example of subjugation of minorities in Pakistan, Multan bar association passed a resolution which forbids non-Muslim lawyers including Ahmadis to participate in the Bar council elections in the city, local media reported.

In yet another example of subjugation of minorities in Pakistan, Multan bar association passed a resolution which forbids non-Muslim lawyers including Ahmadis to participate in the Bar council elections in the city, local media reported. The resolution was presented by the lawyers of the district bar association of Multan. It stated that the lawyers contesting bar elections will also need to submit an affidavit to prove their faith in Islam, Naya Daur reported. Pakistan has been condemned internationally for cracking down on its minorities. Islamabad has also reportedly been discriminating against its religious minorities, manifested in various forms of targeted violence, mass murders, extrajudicial killings, abduction, rapes, forced conversion to Islam among others, making Pakistani Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmadiyyas and Shias one of the most persecuted minorities in the region. The condition of minorities is deplorable in Pakistan. They have always been mistreated and suffered injustices from fellow civilians and the administration. Pakistan administration has always patronised religious, ethnic, cultural and racial disagreements to further their regime.

Pakistan: Multan Bar Association forbids non-Muslim lawyers from contesting council elections

In a huge embarrassment, United Nations meet on religious minorities has slammed Pakistan and China&nbsp;for discrimination against religious minorities.

Representatives from US, UK and Canada spoke in a united voice asking the two countries to take corrective action.

Speaking at the meet,&nbsp;Sam Brownback, US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom urged the Chinese government to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of everyone in that nation.

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Sam Brownback, US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, at UN meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, in New York: We urge the Chinese government to respect the human rights &amp; fundamental freedoms of everyone in that nation. <a href="https://t.co/XR8ZmPgiqE">https://t.co/XR8ZmPgiqE</a>
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''We remain deeply concerned about the Chinese government escalating widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in China,'' he said.

Coming down heavily on Pakistan, Brownback said ''In Pakistan, religious minorities continue to suffer from prosecution either at hands of non-state elements or through discriminatory laws&amp;practices.''

Lord Ahmad, PM's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, UK also raised similar concern.

Ahmad&nbsp;said he had spoken up for rights of religious communities and minorities across the world from Uyghurs in China, Christians and Ahmadis in Pakistan.

In a huge embarrassment, United Nations meet on religious minorities has slammed Pakistan and China for discrimination against religious minorities. Representatives from US, UK and Canada spoke in a united voice asking the two countries to take corrective action.

In a huge embarrassment, United Nations meet on religious minorities has slammed Pakistan and China for discrimination against religious minorities. Representatives from US, UK and Canada spoke in a united voice asking the two countries to take corrective action. Speaking at the meet, Sam Brownback, US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom urged the Chinese government to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of everyone in that nation. Sam Brownback, US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, at UN meet on Safety of Religious Minorities, in New York: We urge the Chinese government to respect the human rights & fundamental freedoms of everyone in that nation. https://t.co/XR8ZmPgiqE — ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2019 × ''We remain deeply concerned about the Chinese government escalating widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in China,'' he said. Coming down heavily on Pakistan, Brownback said ''In Pakistan, religious minorities continue to suffer from prosecution either at hands of non-state elements or through discriminatory laws&practices.'' Lord Ahmad, PM's Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief, UK also raised similar concern. Ahmad said he had spoken up for rights of religious communities and minorities across the world from Uyghurs in China, Christians and Ahmadis in Pakistan.

UN body berates Pakistan, China for discrimination against religious minorities

Religious minorities in Pakistan like Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmedis and Hazara continue to face violent attacks, a damning report by an independent watchdog Monday said and criticised the state for failing to tackle the issue of their persecution.

The Human Rights Commission at the launch of its annual report, State of Human Rights in 2017 dedicated to the late activist Asma Jahangir says people continue to disappear in Pakistan, sometimes because they criticise the country's powerful military or because they advocate better relations with neighbouring India.

Jahangir, who was fierce advocate of human rights died in February.

The commission also underscored the rising incidence of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and the extension of the jurisdiction of military courts.&nbsp

"False accusations of blasphemy and the ensuing violence, the number of children engaged in labour under hazardous conditions and unabated violence against women remain grim markers of the last year," the commission said.

"Deaths linked to terrorism may have decreased, but the soft targets' of religious minorities and law enforcement agencies continue to bear the brunt of violence," it said.&nbsp

Journalists and bloggers continue to sustain threats, attacks and abductions, and the blasphemy law serves to coerce people into silence. The people's right to socio-cultural activities is curtailed by intolerance and extremism, and authorities are lenient for fear of a political backlash, it said.

The 296-page report said, "In a year when freedom of thought, conscience and religion continued to be stifled, incitement to hatred and bigotry increased, and tolerance receded even further, the state remained ineffective in tackling the issue of persecution of minorities and fell far short of its obligations.&nbsp

There was no abatement in violence against religious minorities, with Christians, Ahmedis, Hazaras, Hindus and Sikhs all coming under attack, it said.

"Little wonder that the numbers of religious minorities are shrinking. At the time of Independence, Pakistan's religious minority constituted over 20 per cent of the population. The 1998 census reported that the numbers had declined to a little over three per cent, it said. 
The report said the migration of Hindus to India "may soon turn into an exodus if the discrimination against them continues".&nbsp

While the recent census data has not yet been made public, it is expected that the numbers of religious minorities will show a further decline, the report said.

"Faith-based violence in the name of religion continues unabated and the government has failed miserably to protect minority members against attacks and discrimination. Extremist forces bent on creating an exclusive Islamic identity for Pakistan appear to have been given a free hand," the report said.&nbsp

"A few hundred fanatics held the capital and the garrison cities hostage for 23 days in Faizabad, Islamabad in November this year until their demands were accepted. In ceding to the demands of the violent demonstrators, the state has virtually given blanket licence to fundamentalism and militancy in the name of religion, it said.

With a population of around seven million, Hindus form the largest religious minority in Pakistan.&nbsp

"Concentrated mainly in Sindh, Hindus continue to live an uneasy existence. Their perceived association with India has made life for them tougher than other religious minorities in Pakistan. According to their representatives, the greatest issue of concern to the community is that of forced conversions, the majority of these involving young women, the report said.&nbsp

"In most cases the girls, many of whom are minors, are abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and then married to Muslim men, the report said.

Pakistan ranked fourth on the Christian support group Open Doors World Watch List 2017 of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, it said.

"Violent persecution of Christians is a common occurrence in Pakistan. Christians are targets for murder, bombings, abduction of women, rape, forced conversions, and eviction from home and country. Fake cases under blasphemy laws are regularly used to terrorise Christians," it said.

Sikhs are a small religious minority in Pakistan. According to the last census, there are around 7,000 registered Sikhs living in Pakistan, mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including the semi-autonomous tribal region that shares a border with Afghanistan.&nbsp

"The Sikh leadership complains that rough and usually inaccurate estimates are made about their exact number. The Sikh community has also been subjected to continued discrimination and violence from extremists over the years because of their religious affiliation, but they are generally better treated by government agencies as compared to other religious minorities.&nbsp

Persecution of religious minorities and targeted sects within Islam force people like the Hazaras to seek asylum in European countries. A signicantly large number of Ahmadis has migrated to Europe and lives in exile, it said.

The Human Rights Commission at the launch of its annual report, State of Human Rights in 2017 dedicated to the late activist Asma Jahangir says people continue to disappear in Pakistan, sometimes because they criticise the country's powerful military or because they advocate better relations with neighbouring India

Religious minorities in Pakistan like Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Ahmedis and Hazara continue to face violent attacks, a damning report by an independent watchdog Monday said and criticised the state for failing to tackle the issue of their persecution. The Human Rights Commission at the launch of its annual report, State of Human Rights in 2017 dedicated to the late activist Asma Jahangir says people continue to disappear in Pakistan, sometimes because they criticise the country's powerful military or because they advocate better relations with neighbouring India. Jahangir, who was fierce advocate of human rights died in February. The commission also underscored the rising incidence of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and the extension of the jurisdiction of military courts. "False accusations of blasphemy and the ensuing violence, the number of children engaged in labour under hazardous conditions and unabated violence against women remain grim markers of the last year," the commission said. "Deaths linked to terrorism may have decreased, but the soft targets' of religious minorities and law enforcement agencies continue to bear the brunt of violence," it said. Journalists and bloggers continue to sustain threats, attacks and abductions, and the blasphemy law serves to coerce people into silence. The people's right to socio-cultural activities is curtailed by intolerance and extremism, and authorities are lenient for fear of a political backlash, it said. The 296-page report said, "In a year when freedom of thought, conscience and religion continued to be stifled, incitement to hatred and bigotry increased, and tolerance receded even further, the state remained ineffective in tackling the issue of persecution of minorities and fell far short of its obligations. There was no abatement in violence against religious minorities, with Christians, Ahmedis, Hazaras, Hindus and Sikhs all coming under attack, it said. "Little wonder that the numbers of religious minorities are shrinking. At the time of Independence, Pakistan's religious minority constituted over 20 per cent of the population. The 1998 census reported that the numbers had declined to a little over three per cent, it said. The report said the migration of Hindus to India "may soon turn into an exodus if the discrimination against them continues". While the recent census data has not yet been made public, it is expected that the numbers of religious minorities will show a further decline, the report said. "Faith-based violence in the name of religion continues unabated and the government has failed miserably to protect minority members against attacks and discrimination. Extremist forces bent on creating an exclusive Islamic identity for Pakistan appear to have been given a free hand," the report said. "A few hundred fanatics held the capital and the garrison cities hostage for 23 days in Faizabad, Islamabad in November this year until their demands were accepted. In ceding to the demands of the violent demonstrators, the state has virtually given blanket licence to fundamentalism and militancy in the name of religion, it said. With a population of around seven million, Hindus form the largest religious minority in Pakistan. "Concentrated mainly in Sindh, Hindus continue to live an uneasy existence. Their perceived association with India has made life for them tougher than other religious minorities in Pakistan. According to their representatives, the greatest issue of concern to the community is that of forced conversions, the majority of these involving young women, the report said. "In most cases the girls, many of whom are minors, are abducted, forcibly converted to Islam and then married to Muslim men, the report said. Pakistan ranked fourth on the Christian support group Open Doors World Watch List 2017 of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, it said. "Violent persecution of Christians is a common occurrence in Pakistan. Christians are targets for murder, bombings, abduction of women, rape, forced conversions, and eviction from home and country. Fake cases under blasphemy laws are regularly used to terrorise Christians," it said. Sikhs are a small religious minority in Pakistan. According to the last census, there are around 7,000 registered Sikhs living in Pakistan, mainly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, including the semi-autonomous tribal region that shares a border with Afghanistan. "The Sikh leadership complains that rough and usually inaccurate estimates are made about their exact number. The Sikh community has also been subjected to continued discrimination and violence from extremists over the years because of their religious affiliation, but they are generally better treated by government agencies as compared to other religious minorities. Persecution of religious minorities and targeted sects within Islam force people like the Hazaras to seek asylum in European countries. A signicantly large number of Ahmadis has migrated to Europe and lives in exile, it said.

Religious minorities continue to face violent attacks in Pakistan: Watchdog