Faith
Christians Face Discrimination in Pakistan’s Prisons
Faith Facts
- Christian prisoners in Pakistan endure severe discrimination and abuse due to their faith.
- Minority inmates are denied prison sentence remissions granted to Muslim inmates for religious activities.
- The National Commission for Justice and Peace calls for equal treatment and protection for all prisoners, urging reforms to end religious bias.
Christians and other minority prisoners in Pakistan are unjustly targeted for their beliefs and subjected to harmful conditions and humiliation, the “Hope Behind Bars” report by the National Commission for Justice and Peace reveals. These inmates are often labeled as “untouchables,” given degrading work, and excluded from vital prison benefits, all because of their faith.
Those accused under blasphemy laws or religiously-motivated charges particularly suffer, facing frequent hostility from authorities and fellow inmates. The report describes Christians being provided with inadequate resources and forced into unsanitary, dangerous conditions, with prison authorities deliberately neglecting their needs.
“For nearly three months, our whereabouts remained undisclosed to anyone. During detention, we were forced to drink water from Lotas [vessels typically used in toilets]. One person would open their mouth while another poured water through the same vessel.”
The study documents that when Christian or Hindu inmates’ identities become known, they are assigned menial labor and denied the sentence remissions given to Muslims. In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, nearly two thousand Muslim prisoners received remissions for reciting the Quran and fasting, but minority inmates were excluded from such benefits.
Although prison rules theoretically allow similar reductions for studying the Bible or Geeta, these benefits are not implemented for Christian, Hindu, or Sikh prisoners. Authorities have failed to approve syllabi or properly apply these laws, leaving faithful minority prisoners at an ongoing disadvantage despite the law’s intent.
As of March, over 1,500 minority inmates were counted in Punjab correctional facilities, with the numbers rising over the previous year. Other provinces show similarly troubling statistics, evidencing the ongoing struggle for Christians to practice their faith without fear and injustice, even behind bars.
The NCJP urges the Pakistani government to uphold the dignity of every inmate, safeguard religious freedom, and end discriminatory practices—reminding us all that every soul deserves respect, justice, and the hope of redemption.
Let us lift up those persecuted for their faith, praying for justice, mercy, and freedom in accordance with Christ’s command to love and uphold our neighbors. May these reports awaken our hearts to advocate for Christian brothers and sisters around the world.