Analyzing Post 9/11 Religious Freedom in Pakistan: A Case Study of Christian Minorities

Abstract

Christians constitute the most significant minority in Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim nation. After the 9/11 incidents, religious intolerance has surged, mainly targeting religious minorities, in particular the Christian community. This research aims to contextualize this narrative by delving into the increased discrimination and injustice faced by Christians following the United States’ global counter-terrorism campaign in 2001. The current state of affairs has become more challenging as the measures taken by the government to address religious extremism have not yielded the desired results. This research sheds light on how the escalating religious intolerance has led to the social exclusion and discrimination of Christian minorities in Pakistan. Despite Constitutional assurances of religious freedom, the government has struggled to provide adequate protection. This study identifies the challenges Christians face and proposes potential solutions by analyzing the past twenty-three years of literature. However, substantial efforts are still required to address the issues of religious freedom and intolerance.