The demographics of religion in Pakistan were significantly influenced in 1947 by the movement of Muslims to Pakistan, and Hindus and Sikhs to India. Census data indicates that 96% of the population are Muslims, (nearly 77% are Sunni Muslims and 20% are Shi'a Muslims according to CIA estimates). The remainder comprises Christians, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, Parsis, Ahmadis, Buddhists, and Animists (mainly the Kalasha of Chitral). Pakistan is the second most populous Muslim-majority country and also has one of the largest Shi'a populations of any country. These major ethnic groups are further broken down into several smaller ethnic groups - Punjabis (44.68)% of the population, Pashtuns (15.42%), Sindhis (14.1%), Seraikis (10.53%), Muhajirs (7.57%), Balochis (3.57%) and others (4.66%). As of 2007, about 2 million registered Afghan refugees — approximately 81.5% being ethnic Pashtuns — remain in Pakistan as a result of the wars in Afghanistan.
Religious minorities may only form three percent of Pakistan's population, but in business, education, medicine, and the arts their contribution is significant. All religions enjoy equal status under the Pakistani constitution. Christians are the biggest minority group in Pakistan; they are distributed throughout the subcontinent and represent a wide cross-section of ethnic and linguistic stocks. Churches of virtually every denomination embellish the architectural horizon of most Pakistani cities. Although Pakistani Christians have not restricted themselves to any one area of activity, they have traditionally made an outstanding contribution in health, education, railways and the police force. They are also playing a growing role in the civil service and defence services. The second biggest minority is the so-called scheduled castes; these are the former "untouchables" from the Hindu caste system in pre-partition days of India. In Pakistan this group is not legally or economically discriminated against - but old habits die hard and many are engaged in largely menial tasks. This group is diminishing as more and more of them become educated and make their way up the socio-economic ladder. The Hindus of Pakistan are mostly found in Sindh where they concentrate on agriculture. In the larger cities (particularly in Karachi) Hindus are very active in commerce. Their holy days are celebrated with all their traditional colour.
The Parsis (the Zoroastrians of the subcontinent) are a very small minority concentrated in the larger cities and are almost exclusively engaged in business. Some of Pakistan's foremost hotel and shipping magnates are Parsis and the richer members of this community are wll known for their philanthropic activities. The Buddhists are numerically very few but the cultural impact of their ancestors has enriched and marked their presence to the heirtage of Pakistan. Ancient Buddhist temples, schools and cities dot the archaeological map of Pakistan. There are many important Sikh temples and shrines in Pakistan, most notable is Nankana Sahib. Every year Sikhs celebrate the festivle of Vaisakhi from India's Punjab state to make pilgrimages to these historic places, which are looked after by the Pakistani Sikhs themselves.
Census data indicates that over 97% of the population are Muslims; therefore it is considered by many general Pakistanis as the National religion. The Muslims are divided into different sects which are called Madhab i.e, schools of jurisprudence (also 'Maktab-e-Fikr' (School of Thought) in Urdu). Nearly 85% of Pakistani Muslims are Sunni Muslims and 10% are Shi'a Muslims. The nearly all Pakistani Sunni Muslims belong to Hanafi school with a small group of Ahle Hadith. The Hanafi school is divided into Barelvis and Deobandis schools. While majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to Ithna 'ashariyah school with significant minority of Nizari Khoja Ismailis (Aga Khanis) and a small Mustaali Dawoodi Bohra schools. By one estimate, in Pakistan, Muslims are divided into following schools: the Barelvis 50%, Deobandis 32%, Jafari (Ithna Ashari) shia 10%, Ahle Hadith 1%, Ismailis 2%, Bohras 0.25%, and other smaller sects. The Ahle-e-Hadith are part of Hanbali school. Nearly 65% of the total seminaries (Madrassah) are run by Barelvis, 25 per cent by the Deobandis, six percent by the various Shia organizations and three percent by Ahle Hadith. Zikris are considered to be a heretical sect by Muslims. As we observe the history Pakistan was created on a Principle of "Lailaha IlAllah Mohammedur Rasool Allah" so its a Muslim State and Official religion is Islam.
The adherents of Christianity are the largest religious minority community in Pakistan. Pakistan has a population of 162 million, of which Christians account for 1.5% of the population, or about 2.4 million people. Christianity came to the areas now forming Pakistan most probably through the trade routes from Central Asia; in addition to influence from Syrian Christians in South India.
A major chunk of the Pakistani Christian community belongs to converts from the colonial era. The community is geographically spread throughout the Punjab province, whilst it's presence in the rest of the provinces is mostly confined to the urban centres. There is a large Catholic Goa community in Karachi which was established when Karachi's infrastructure was developed by the British before World War II.
Religion Index
Census data indicates that over 96% of the population of Pakistan are Muslims. There are small non-Muslim religious groups: Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, Bahais and others 3%.Religious minorities may only form three percent of Pakistan's population, but in business, education, medicine, and the arts their contribution is significant. All religions enjoy equal status under the Pakistani constitution. Christians are the biggest minority group in Pakistan; they are distributed throughout the subcontinent and represent a wide cross-section of ethnic and linguistic stocks. Churches of virtually every denomination embellish the architectural horizon of most Pakistani cities. Although Pakistani Christians have not restricted themselves to any one area of activity, they have traditionally made an outstanding contribution in health, education, railways and the police force. They are also playing a growing role in the civil service and defence services. The second biggest minority is the so-called scheduled castes; these are the former "untouchables" from the Hindu caste system in pre-partition days of India. In Pakistan this group is not legally or economically discriminated against - but old habits die hard and many are engaged in largely menial tasks. This group is diminishing as more and more of them become educated and make their way up the socio-economic ladder. The Hindus of Pakistan are mostly found in Sindh where they concentrate on agriculture. In the larger cities (particularly in Karachi) Hindus are very active in commerce. Their holy days are celebrated with all their traditional colour.
The Parsis (the Zoroastrians of the subcontinent) are a very small minority concentrated in the larger cities and are almost exclusively engaged in business. Some of Pakistan's foremost hotel and shipping magnates are Parsis and the richer members of this community are wll known for their philanthropic activities. The Buddhists are numerically very few but the cultural impact of their ancestors has enriched and marked their presence to the heirtage of Pakistan. Ancient Buddhist temples, schools and cities dot the archaeological map of Pakistan. There are many important Sikh temples and shrines in Pakistan, most notable is Nankana Sahib. Every year Sikhs celebrate the festivle of Vaisakhi from India's Punjab state to make pilgrimages to these historic places, which are looked after by the Pakistani Sikhs themselves.
Census data indicates that over 97% of the population are Muslims; therefore it is considered by many general Pakistanis as the National religion. The Muslims are divided into different sects which are called Madhab i.e, schools of jurisprudence (also 'Maktab-e-Fikr' (School of Thought) in Urdu). Nearly 85% of Pakistani Muslims are Sunni Muslims and 10% are Shi'a Muslims. The nearly all Pakistani Sunni Muslims belong to Hanafi school with a small group of Ahle Hadith. The Hanafi school is divided into Barelvis and Deobandis schools. While majority of Pakistani Shia Muslims belong to Ithna 'ashariyah school with significant minority of Nizari Khoja Ismailis (Aga Khanis) and a small Mustaali Dawoodi Bohra schools. By one estimate, in Pakistan, Muslims are divided into following schools: the Barelvis 50%, Deobandis 32%, Jafari (Ithna Ashari) shia 10%, Ahle Hadith 1%, Ismailis 2%, Bohras 0.25%, and other smaller sects. The Ahle-e-Hadith are part of Hanbali school. Nearly 65% of the total seminaries (Madrassah) are run by Barelvis, 25 per cent by the Deobandis, six percent by the various Shia organizations and three percent by Ahle Hadith. Zikris are considered to be a heretical sect by Muslims. As we observe the history Pakistan was created on a Principle of "Lailaha IlAllah Mohammedur Rasool Allah" so its a Muslim State and Official religion is Islam.
Christianity
The adherents of Christianity are the largest religious minority community in Pakistan. Pakistan has a population of 162 million, of which Christians account for 1.5% of the population, or about 2.4 million people. Christianity came to the areas now forming Pakistan most probably through the trade routes from Central Asia; in addition to influence from Syrian Christians in South India.A major chunk of the Pakistani Christian community belongs to converts from the colonial era. The community is geographically spread throughout the Punjab province, whilst it's presence in the rest of the provinces is mostly confined to the urban centres. There is a large Catholic Goa community in Karachi which was established when Karachi's infrastructure was developed by the British before World War II.
