Pakistan: Treatment of agnostic/atheist/non-religious persons by the authorities and general population, especially those born Ahmadi (1998-2000)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 20 April 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK34262.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Treatment of agnostic/atheist/non-religious persons by the authorities and general population, especially those born Ahmadi (1998-2000), 20 April 2000, PAK34262.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad7360.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on the treatment of atheist, agnostic or non-religious persons is scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
According to the U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999, Pakistan was created as a homeland for Muslims, and Islam is a core element of the country's national ideology (9 Sept. 1999). Although the constitution provides for freedom of religion and makes provision for religious minorities to profess and practice their religions freely, in practice non-Muslims do not enjoy the same rights and legal protections as Muslims (ibid.). With regard to the attitude of the general public, the report notes a "growing intolerance" toward non-Muslims in Pakistan (ibid.).
The same report states that "because religion is closely tied to a person's ethnic, social, and economic identity, there is less room for nominal, secular activity with regard to religion," and "those who do not wish to practice any religion remain silent about the fact. Social pressure is such that few persons would admit to being unaffiliated with any religion" (ibid.).
A Pakistani lawyer, responding to a question posted to a Website that provides opinions on legal matters, stated that while Pakistan "can accept non-Muslims as minority citizens, [for an] atheist it will be difficult as in Pakistan there is no concept of atheism" (ContactPakistan.com n.d.).
Additional information on the situation of non-Muslim minorities in Pakistan and the relevant provisions of the Penal Code can be found in the Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999. 9 September 1999. "Pakistan."
ContactPakistan.com. n.d. "Legal Matters."
Additional Sources Consulted
Contemporary Religions: A World Guide. 1992.
The Encyclopedia of Islam. 1993.
IRB databases.
Islam and Islamic Groups.
World News Connection (WNC).
Internet sites including:
Amnesty International.
Dawn [Karachi].
The Friday Times [Lahore].
The Frontier Post [Peshawar].
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
Human Rights Internet (HRI).
Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The Nation [Lahore].
The News International [Karachi].
Pakistan News Service (PNS).
Religion Around the World.
soc.culture.pakistan.religion. (Newsgroup).
UK Home Office country assessments.
United Nations.
