The Marginalized Voices: A Socio-Political Study of Minorities in Pakistan

Abstract

Minorities are groups of individuals who live in a state but are less in number than the majority of people. They might be based on religion, language, or ethnicity. Since independence, the minority communities have lived peacefully in Pakistan and have played an active role in improving society, notably in the areas of health and education. Even if they are productive and responsible citizens living in a pleasant environment, minority groups have been treated unfairly, discriminated against, and victimized by both the government and society. These minorities have been pushed to the edges of practically every part of life, including work, school, and most importantly, their right to practice their religion freely. Minorities, especially Christians, have a lot of worries about their safety. They often say that they have been targeted, notably under the Blasphemy Law, which has been used to punish them in the name of religion. A lot of these blasphemy lawsuits have turned out to be the consequence of personal grudges and religious wars. For Pakistan to be a welcoming and moderate place for everyone, the government needs to quickly deal with these problems that affect minorities.

Keywords: Minorities, Pakistan, Blasphemy Law, Religious Freedom