Pakistan’s Constitution provides explicit safeguards for religious minorities; however, a persistent gap remains between formal guarantees and lived realities. This implementation deficit has left non-Muslim communities vulnerable to discrimination, violence, and unequal treatment. Over time, the disconnect became politically untenable, particularly following major incidents such as the September 2013 Peshawar church bombing and the Supreme … Read more
Over the past decade, religious radicalism in Pakistan has evolved from operating covertly through militant networks to asserting itself openly in the political sphere. Groups that frame their agendas as uncompromising religious imperatives have increasingly relied on mass mobilisation, street pressure, and selective participation in elections to gain concessions from the state and shape public … Read more
Extremism in Pakistan is a complex and persistent challenge, deeply rooted in historical, socio-political, and religious factors. Over the past four years, the country has witnessed a sharp increase in various forms of extremism, including religious militancy, an ethnonationalist insurgency in Balochistan, and faith-based violence. Communal and sectarian attacks, targeted killings, and the persecution of … Read more
With Pakistan’s youth comprising nearly two-thirds of the population, our focus remained on strengthening their role as agents of peace and inclusivity. Through extensive research and dialogue, we worked to address the pressing issue of youth radicalization not merely as a security concern but as a societal challenge that demands holistic solutions. At PIPS, we … Read more
*Jehanzeb Iqbal has an MSc in Arts & Science of Warfare. The author can be reached at gulegulmit2015@gmail.com. ** The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS). Abstract: The military analysts from across the globe have … Read more
Freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan remains under serious threat, with religious minorities facing growing discrimination, violence, and the continued misuse of blasphemy laws. Despite some security at religious sites, targeted attacks persist, highlighting the need for more effective and comprehensive measures. Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) organized a stakeholder consultation in Karachi … Read more
According to the 2023 census, the population of Pakistan is 241.5 million. Hindus are the largest minority, comprising 5.2 million, which constitutes 1.6% of the population classified as Hindu Jati and 0.6% as Scheduled Castes.[1] Most of the Hindu population in Pakistan is concentrated in Sindh, accounting for 8.8% of the province’s total population. Download
Banned BLA emerged as a key factor of terrorist violence in 2024 Over 95 percent of terrorist attacks concentrated in KP and Balochistan Islamabad – The year 2024 recorded a perturbing rise in both frequency and intensity of terrorist attacks in Pakistan and its security landscape could regress to the pre-APS era if this trajectory … Read more
Pakistan has a history of faith-based violence. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to all citizens including the right to protection of life, fair trial, freedom of expression, and the right to profess, practice and propagate the religion. However, these constitutional safeguards neither properly worked nor could ever be translated into actual liberties of … Read more
By Safdar Sial This report describes Pakistan‘s efforts against militancy and terrorism, the cost and sacrifices it had paid in this campaign mainly being a US ally in the WoT, and the outcome of the war in terms of restoration of peace and security. National security and regional geo-strategic imperatives had mainly weighed on Pakistan‘s … Read more