Hinduism in Pakistan
Hinduism is the second biggest religion in Pakistan, with about 2.17% of the population being Hindus. This is around 5.2 million people, according to the 2023 Pakistani census. However, the Pakistan Hindu Council says there are 8-10 million Hindus, making up 4% of the population.[1] The Umerkot district has the highest percentage of Hindus, with 52.2% of the population being Hindu. The Tharparkar district has the most Hindus in total, with 714,698 people.[2]
Most Hindus in Pakistan live in Punjab and Sindh. They speak different languages like Sindhi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Seraiki, Aer, Dhatki, and others. In rural Sindh, the diversity of beliefs often makes it hard to strictly define Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Islam. Even though Pakistan is mostly Muslim, Sindh has a strong Hindu heritage.[3]
Pakistani Hindus are one of the most persecuted minorities in Pakistan. At the time of creation of Pakistan Hindus accounted for 19.2% of the cou tries population. In the year 2025 pakistani Hindus account for merely 1.6% of countries population. The steep decline in Pakistani Hindus population is a continous result of systematic rape, abduction and forced marriage of underage hindu girls by pakistani Muslim groups. With combined forced coversions of hindus combined by organized killings using fraudulent use and weaponization of islamic blasphemy law has lead to dwindling population of this persecuted minority. [4]
Pakistani Islamic constitution officially prohibits non Muslims from holding positions like president, prime minister or chief justice position in their country. The dismal role of pakistani justice system in protecting the right of their minority are well documented in journals and studies listed on United Nations and Pew research websites.
Demographics
Population
The official number of Hindus living in Pakistan was 5.2 million or approx. 2.17% in the 2023 census. However, at different time some of the demographic experts of Pakistan Hindu council as well as various Pakistani Hindu politicians have given numbers based on their estimation research:
| Source/claimed by | Population | Year of claimed |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan Hindu Council[5] | 8,000,000 | 2020 |
| Gulf News (U.A.E based)[6] | 8,800,000 | 2019 |
| The Economic Times (according to an official estimation)[7] | 7,500,000 | 2021 |
| According to Hindu community of Pakistan[7] | 9,000,000 | 2021 |
| Claimed by Mangla Sharma, member provincial assembly (MPA) from Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P)[8] | 10,000,000 | 2020 |
Percentage by district
Following is a table showing the percentage of Hindus in the districts of Pakistan:
| Administrative Unit | District | Percentage of Hindus |
|---|---|---|
| Sindh | Umerkot | 54.53% |
| Tharparkar | 43.39% | |
| Mirpurkhas | 38.74% | |
| Tando Allahyar | 34.17% | |
| Badin | 23.61% | |
| Tando Muhammad Khan | 22.25% | |
| Sanghar | 21.79% | |
| Matiari | 16.66% | |
| Hyderabad | 8.22% | |
| Ghotki | 6.19% | |
| Karachi South | 4.01% | |
| Jamshoro | 3.87% | |
| Shaheed Benazirabad | 3.86% | |
| Sukkur | 3.55% | |
| Kashmore | 3.22% | |
| Thatta | 3% | |
| Sujawal District | 2.91% | |
| Khairpur | 2.76% | |
| Jacobabad | 2.16% | |
| Malir | 1.77% | |
| Naushahro Feroze | 1.64% | |
| Larkana | 1.45% | |
| Shikarpur | 1.4% | |
| Karachi East | 1.38% | |
| Punjab | Rahim Yar Khan | 3.12% |
| Bahawalpur | 1.12% | |
| Balochistan | Sibi | 2.4% |
| Lasbela | 1.58% | |
| Jaffarabad | 1.34% | |
| Kacchi | 1.04% | |
| Mastung | 1% | |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Kohat | 1% |
Hinduism In Pakistan Media
Hinglaj Mata Mandir Cave entrance
Extent of the Indus Valley Civilization sites
The Pashupati seal
Excavation of a Brahma bronze from Mirpur Khas
The Swaminarayan Temple in Karachi was a departure point for those migrating to India after independence.
Churrio Jabal Durga Mata Temple, Tharparkar
The map above shows the Hindu proportion of each Pakistani district according to the final official results of the 2017 Pakistan Population & Housing Census. The data can be found here. Religion data for the territories of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan is not yet available as of August 2021.*Legend*
Protest against forced conversion of Hindu girls, procession conducted by Pakistan Hindu Council
Festival of Holi in Lahore
Tamil Hindus celebrating festival in JPMC karachi, Pakistan
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References
- ↑ "Headcount finalised sans third-party audit". The Express Tribune. 2018-05-26. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
- ↑ "Hindu Population (PK) – Pakistan Hindu Council". 2018-03-15. Archived from the original on 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2023-11-24.
- ↑ Maclean, Derryl N. (1989). Religion and Society in Arab Sind. Brill. p. 52. ISBN 90-04-08551-3.
- ↑ US state department publish human rights report on afghanistan. University of Arizona Libraries. 2000.
- ↑ "Hindu Population (PK) – Pakistan Hindu Council". Pakistan Hindu Council. 13 January 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ↑ "Hindus of Pakistan reject CAA, do not want Indian Prime Minister Modi's offer of citizenship". Gulf News. 18 December 2019. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Pakistan: Hindu community pardons mob accused of vandalising temple". The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/pakistan-hindu-community-pardons-mob-accused-of-vandalising-temple/articleshow/81494632.cms?from=mdr. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
- ↑ "Two years after it counted population, Pakistan silent on minority numbers". The Indian Express. 2020-01-07. Archived from the original on 31 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
