writenet is a network of researchers and writers on human rights, forced migration, ethnic and political conflict WRITENET writenet is the resource base of practical management (uk) e-mail:
[email protected] independent analysis PAKISTAN: THE SITUATION OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES A Writenet Report by Shaun R. Gregory and Simon R. Valentine commissioned by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Status Determination and Protection Information Section May 2009 Caveat: Writenet papers are prepared mainly on the basis of publicly available information, analysis and comment. All sources are cited. The papers are not, and do not purport to be, either exhaustive with regard to conditions in the country surveyed, or conclusive as to the merits of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. The views expressed in the paper are those of the author and are not necessarily those of Writenet or UNHCR. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms ................................................................................................... i Executive Summary ................................................................................. ii 1 Introduction........................................................................................1 2 Background.........................................................................................4 3 Religious Minorities in Pakistan: Understanding the Context......6 3.1 The Constitutional-Legal Context..............................................................6 3.2 The Socio-Religious Context .......................................................................8