Minorities in Pakistan continue to suffer from systemic discrimination and targeted violence, according to a new report published by the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP)—a branch of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan—and sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The extensive report documents numerous human rights violations throughout 2025 affecting Christians and other religious minorities across the country.
The report details severe cases of violence, including the murders of Kashif Masih, who was tortured to death following a theft accusation, and Afzal Masih, who was shot dead while traveling to the Christian shrine of Mariamabad. Additionally, efforts to obtain justice for the 2023 Jaranwala attacks remain stalled, while education experts criticize the prevalence of a «majoritarian and supremacist mindset» in school curricula.
Blasphemy laws and discrimination against minorities in Pakistan
Blasphemy allegations remain a critical concern. In 2025, eight Christians were formally charged with blasphemy, while two were granted bail following earlier charges. Because penalties range from life imprisonment to the death penalty and the threshold for charges is extremely low, these laws are frequently weaponized to settle personal disputes or target religious minorities.
Reflecting on the systemic invisibility of non-Muslim citizens, Bishop Samson Shukardin of Hyderabad, chairperson of the NCJP, stated in his introductory message:
“Pakistan is a nation richly blessed with diverse cultures and a deep religious heritage. Yet there is a troubling contradiction at its heart. Time and again, state officials, politicians, and Muslim religious leaders declare, in public and without hesitation, that Pakistan is a country of Muslims, for Muslims. In doing so, they render the remaining 3% of the population invisible”.
“This is not merely a rhetorical failure. It is a deliberate denial of Pakistan’s multi-religious reality, and the nation has paid an enormous price for it”.
Violence against women and positive legislative developments
Crimes against minority women and young girls remain widespread. The NCJP document cites 35 separate incidents in 2025 involving dozens of Christian and Hindu women subjected to abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage. While local authorities were complicit in certain cases by refusing to register complaints, some high courts intervened to return underage girls to their families and convict perpetrators.
The report also highlights several positive developments:
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Blasphemy acquittals: Eight Christians were fully acquitted of blasphemy charges in 2025.
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Legal reform efforts: Federal Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar announced plans to introduce procedural safeguards to prevent the misuse of blasphemy laws.
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Ban on discriminatory job ads: The High Court explicitly banned the advertisement phrase «Christians only» for low-grade sanitation jobs, ending a long-standing discriminatory practice.
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Government recognition: The Minister for Minorities Affairs in Punjab praised the Christian community as «exemplary» and reiterated the state’s commitment to protecting religious minorities.
