Editing Pakistan (section)

== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Pakistan}}
{{further|Overseas Pakistani}}
{{multiple image 
| caption_align = center
| direction    =vertical
|image1=Population Density by Pakistani District - 2017 Census.svg
|caption1=Population Density per square kilometre of each Pakistani District as of the 2017 Pakistan Census
|image2=Population by Pakistani District - 2017 Census.svg
|caption2=Population of each Pakistani District as of the 2017 Pakistan Census
}}

{{Excerpt|Demographics of Pakistan|files=0}}

=== Urbanisation ===
{{Main|Urbanisation in Pakistan}}

Since [[Independence of Pakistan|independence]] due to the [[partition of India]], [[Urbanisation in Pakistan|urbanisation]] has surged for various reasons. In the south, [[Karachi]] stands as the most populous commercial hub along the [[Indus River]].<ref name="The Urban Frontier—Karachi">{{cite news |title=The Urban Frontier—Karachi |newspaper = NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91009748 |publisher=National Public Radio |date=2 June 2008|access-date=2 July 2008}}</ref> In the east, west, and north, a dense population arc spans cities like [[Lahore]], [[Faisalabad]], [[Rawalpindi]], [[Islamabad]], [[Sargodha]], [[Gujranwala]], [[Sialkot]], [[Gujrat city|Gujrat]], [[Jhelum]], [[Sheikhupura]], [[Nowshera, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa|Nowshera]], [[Mardan]], and [[Peshawar]]. By 1990–2008, city dwellers constituted 36% of Pakistan's population, making it South Asia's most urbanized nation, with over 50% living in towns of 5,000+ inhabitants.<ref name="Jason Burke">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/aug/17/pakistan |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=Pakistan looks to life without the general |author=Jason Burke |date=17 August 2008|access-date=20 May 2010}}</ref> [[Immigration to Pakistan|Immigration]], both domestic and international, significantly fuels urban growth. Migration from India, especially to Karachi, the largest metropolis, and from nearby countries, accelerates urbanization, posing new political and socio-economic challenges. Economic shifts like the green revolution and political developments also play crucial roles.<ref name="Clark">{{cite book |last=Clark |first=David |title=The Elgar Companion to Development Studies |year=2006 |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |isbn=978-1-84376-475-5 |page=668}}</ref>

{{Largest cities
| name         = Largest cities of Pakistan
| country      = Pakistan
| stat_ref     = According to the 2023 Census<ref>{{cite web |title=7th Population and Housing Census – 2023 {{!}} Key Findings Report |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/Key_Findings_Report.pdf |website=pbs.gov.pk |publisher=[[Pakistan Bureau of Statistics]] – [[Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives]] |location=Islamabad |p=59}}</ref>
| div_name     = Province
| div_link     =

| city_1 = Karachi | div_1 = Sindh | pop_1 = 18,868,021 | img_1 = Karachi from above.jpg

| city_2 = Lahore | div_2 = Punjab | pop_2 = 13,004,135 | img_2 = Badshahi Mosquee, Lahore.jpg

| city_3 = Faisalabad | div_3 = Punjab | pop_3 = 3,691,999 | img_3 = Clock Tower Faisalabad by Usman Nadeem.jpg

| city_4 = Rawalpindi | div_4 = Punjab | pop_4 = 3,357,612 | img_4 =Faizabad Interchange, Rawalpindi.jpg

| city_5 = Gujranwala | div_5 = Punjab | pop_5 = 2,668,047

| city_6 = Multan | div_6 = Punjab | pop_6 = 2,215,381

| city_7 = Hyderabad, Sindh{{!}}Hyderabad | div_7 = Sindh | pop_7 = 1,921,275

| city_8 = Peshawar | div_8 = Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | pop_8 = 1,905,975

| city_9 = Quetta | div_9 = Balochistan | pop_9 = 1,565,546

| city_10 = Islamabad | div_10 = Islamabad Capital Territory{{!}}Capital Territory | pop_10 = 1,108,872

| city_11 = Sargodha | div_11 = Punjab | pop_11 = 975,886

| city_12 = Sialkot | div_12 = Punjab | pop_12 = 911,817

| city_13 = Bahawalpur | div_13 = Punjab | pop_13 = 903,795

| city_14 = Jhang | div_14 = Punjab | pop_14 = 606,533

| city_15 = Sheikhupura | div_15 = Punjab | pop_15 = 591,424

| city_16 = Gujrat, Pakistan{{!}}Gujrat | div_16 = Punjab | pop_16 = 574,240

| city_17 = Sukkur | div_17 = Sindh | pop_17 = 563,851

| city_18 = Larkana | div_18 = Sindh | pop_18 = 551,716

| city_19 = Sahiwal | div_19 = Punjab | pop_19 = 538,344

| city_20 = Okara, Pakistan{{!}}Okara | div_20 = Punjab  | pop_20 = 533,693
}}

=== Ethnicity and languages ===
{{Main|Languages of Pakistan|Ethnic groups of Pakistan}}
{{See also|Pakistanis}}{{Pie chart|thumb=right|caption=Languages of Pakistan (2023)<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=POPULATION BY MOTHER TONGUE, SEX AND RURAL/URBAN, CENSUS–2023
|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_11.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220005033/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_11.pdf|archive-date=20 December 2024}}</ref>|label1=[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]|value1=36.98|color1=Red|label2=[[Pashto]]|value2=18.15|color2=Yellow|label3=[[Sindhi language|Sindhi]]|value3=14.31|color3=Purple|label4=[[Saraiki language|Saraiki]]|value4=12.00|color4=Orange|label5=[[Urdu]]|value5=9.25|color5=Green|label6=[[Balochi language|Balochi]]|value6=3.38|color6=Blue|label7=[[Hindko]]|value7=2.32|color7=Lime|label8=[[Brahui language|Brahui]]|value8=1.16|color8=Violet|label9=[[Mewati language|Mewati]]|value9=0.46|color9=Black|value10=0.43|label10=[[Kohistani language|Kohistani]]|value11=0.11|value12=0.05|label11=[[Kashmiri language|Kashmiri]]|label12=[[Shina language|Shina]]|value13=0.02|label13=[[Balti language|Balti]]|value14=0.003|label14=[[Kalasha language|Kalasha]]|value15=1.38|label15=Others|color10=Brown|color11=Aqua|color12=Pink|color14=White|color15=Grey}}Pakistan is a diverse society with estimates suggesting it has between 75 and 85 languages.<ref>{{cite web |year=2017 |title=Pakistan – Languages |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/PK/languages |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902143126/https://www.ethnologue.com/country/pk/languages |archive-date=2 September 2017 |work=Ethnologue: Languages of the World |edition=20th |editor-last1=Simons |editor-first1=Gary F. |editor-last2=Fennig |editor-first2=Charles D.}}</ref><ref name="GlottologPK">{{cite web |title=Languages of Pakistan |url=https://glottolog.org/glottolog/language.map.html?country=PK#4/33.01/73.28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512205543/https://glottolog.org/glottolog/language.map.html?country=PK#4/33.01/73.28 |archive-date=12 May 2022 |access-date=12 May 2022 |website=Glottolog 4.5 – Languages |publisher=Glottolog}}</ref> Urdu and English serve as the official languages, with Urdu being the country's [[lingua franca]] and a unifying force among over 75% of Pakistanis.<ref>{{cite book |author=Braj B. Kachru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O2n4sFGDEMYC&pg=PA138 |title=Language in South Asia |author2=Yamuna Kachru |author3=S.N. Sridhar |date=27 March 2008 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-139-46550-2 |pages=36, 138}}- <br />{{cite web |date=31 December 2015 |title=Urdu In Contempt |url=http://nation.com.pk/editorials/31-Dec-2015/urdu-in-contempt |access-date=12 January 2016 |website=The Nation}}</ref><ref name="2017 Census">{{cite news |title=CCI defers approval of census results until elections |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1410447 |access-date=26 April 2020 |work=Dawn}}</ref> According to the [[2023 Pakistani census|2023 national census]], the largest [[ethnolinguistic group]]s include the [[Punjabis]] (36.98%), [[Pashtuns]] (18.15%), [[Sindhis]] (14.31%), [[Saraiki people|Saraikis]] (12%), [[Urdu speaking people]] (9.25%), [[Baloch people|Balochs]] (3.38%), [[Hindkowans]]/[[Hazarewal]]s (2.32%), and [[Brahuis]] (1.16%).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rana |first=Shahbaz |date=19 July 2024 |title=Pakistan 27th in global population growth |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2480881/pakistan-27th-in-global-population-growth |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en |quote=One of the questions in the population census was about the mother-tongue. The number of Urdu speaking people have increased to 9.3% by 2023. But Punjabi-origin people have reduced to 37%. There is also a reduction in the Sindh language speaking people from 14.6% to 14.3%. the Pashto speaking people reduced from 18.3% to 18.2% but Balochi-language people increased from 3% to 3.4%. The number of Saraiki-language people was reduced from 12.2% to 12%.}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> The remaining population consists of various ethnic minorities such as [[Kashmiris]], [[Pahari people (Kashmir)|Paharis]], [[Chitralis]], various peoples of [[Gilgit-Baltistan]], [[Indus Kohistani people|Kohistanis]], [[Torwali people|Torwalis]], [[Meo (ethnic group)|Meos]], [[Hazaras]], [[Kalash people|Kalash]] and [[Siddi]]s.<ref name="EB-Online">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Brahui |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahui}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Abbas |first=Zaffar |date=13 March 2002 |title=Pakistan's Sidi keep heritage alive |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/1869876.stm |access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> The Pakistani diaspora, numbering over seven million, is the sixth largest in the world.<ref name="ribune-2016">{{cite web |date=15 January 2016 |title=India has largest diaspora population in world: UN |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/india-has-largest-diaspora-population-in-world-un/183731.html |access-date=3 March 2016 |website=The Tribune}}</ref>

=== Immigration ===
{{Main|Immigration to Pakistan}}
[[File:Refugees from Afghanistan in Pakistan, near Islamabad.jpg|thumb|left|Afghan children near [[Islamabad]] fetching water from water pump. (Pakistan hosts the second largest refugee population globally after Turkey.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1188585 |title=Pakistan hosts second largest refugee population globally |last=Rafi |first=Yumna |date=17 June 2015 |newspaper=DAWN.COM|access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref>)]]

Even post-1947 partition, the Muslims from India kept migrating to Pakistan, especially Karachi and Sindh province.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Khalidi |first=Omar |date=1 January 1998 |title=From torrent to trickle: Indian Muslim migration to Pakistan, 1947–97 |journal=Islamic Studies |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=339–352 |jstor=20837002}}</ref> Wars in neighboring Afghanistan in the 1980s and 1990s pushed millions of [[Afghan refugees]] into Pakistan, mainly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and [[Federally Administered Tribal Areas|tribal areas]], with some in Karachi and Quetta. Pakistan hosts one of the world's largest refugee populations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ten countries host half of world's refugees: report |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/ten-countries-host-world-refugees-report-161004042014076.html|access-date=30 April 2017 |work=[[Al Jazeera English]] |date=4 October 2016}}</ref> Additionally, around 2&nbsp;million [[Bangladeshis in Pakistan|Bangladeshis]] and half a million undocumented individuals, purportedly from [[Myanmar]], reside in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/322325/five-million-illegal-immigrants-residing-in-pakistan/ |title=Five million illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan |date=16 January 2012 |newspaper=Express Tribune|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> In October 2023, Pakistan ordered the deportation of thousands undocumented refugees, citing security concerns.<ref>{{cite news |title='What's wrong?': The silence of Pakistanis on expulsion of Afghan refugees |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/22/whats-wrong-the-silence-of-pakistanis-on-expulsion-of-afghan-refugees |work=Al Jazeera |date=22 November 2023}}</ref>

Migration of Bengalis and [[Rohingya people|Rohingya]] to Pakistan started in the 1980s and continued till 1998. Karachi hosts a significant number of Bengali settlements, and large Rohingya migration made it one of their largest populations outside Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1165299 |title=Identity issue haunts Karachi's Rohingya population |last=Rehman |first=Zia Ur |date=23 February 2015 |work=Dawn |quote=Their large-scale migration had made Karachi one of the largest Rohingya population centres outside Myanmar but afterwards the situation started turning against them.|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> Karachi's [[Burmese people|Burmese]] community resides in various slums across the city.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/the-rohingyas-of-karachi/ |title=The Rohingyas of Karachi |last=Khan |first=Naimat |date=12 June 2015}}</ref>

According to [[BBC World Service|BBC]], thousands of [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] Muslims live in Gilgit-Baltistan, some left Xinjiang, China and the thriving trading town of Kashgar in 1949, while others are later arrivals, claiming to escape political oppression.<ref>{{Cite news |title=How the Uighurs keep their culture alive in Pakistan |last=Jaffrey |first=Shumaila |date=12 August 2015 |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-33775646 |quote=Insa is one of a few thousand Uighur Muslims who live in Gilgit. The community is a mix of generations. Some left Xinjiang and the thriving trading town of Kashgar in 1949, while others are later arrivals. All say they were forced to leave as they were the victims of cultural and religious oppression in China.|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref> Since 1989, thousands of [[Kashmiris|Kashmiri]] Muslim refugees fled to Pakistan, alleging rape and forced displacement by Indian soldiers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Istvan |first=Zoltan |date=13 March 2003 |work=National Geographic |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/03/0313_030313_tvpakirefugees_2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305173913/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/03/0313_030313_tvpakirefugees_2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 March 2010 |title=Refugee Crisis Worsening In Western Kashmir |quote=The refugees claim that Indian soldiers forced them out of their homes&nbsp;... For Kashmiri Muslims, Pakistan appeared safer than Indian-held Kashmir&nbsp;... "She was also raped by the soldiers," Ahmad said. "Many of the other female refugees were also raped."|access-date=15 January 2017}}</ref>

=== Diaspora ===
{{Main|Overseas Pakistani}}
[[File:Nergis Mavalvala.jpg|thumb|right|[[Nergis Mavalvala]] is a [[Pakistani Americans|Pakistani American]] Professor of Physics at [[MIT]] who is known for her role in the first observation of gravitational waves.]]

According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Pakistan has the sixth-largest diaspora globally.<ref name="ribune-2016" /> Approximately 7&nbsp;million Pakistanis reside abroad, mainly in the Middle East, Europe, and North America.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 February 2009 |title=Pride and the Pakistani Diaspora |url=http://archives.dawn.com/archives/142435 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015142319/http://archives.dawn.com/archives/142435 |archive-date=15 October 2013 |access-date=15 October 2013 |publisher=Archives.dawn.com}}</ref> Pakistan ranks 10th globally for remittances sent home.<ref name="overseaspakistanis1" /><ref name="worldbank1">{{cite web |year=2010 |title=Migration and Remittances: Top Countries |url=http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPROSPECTS/Resources/334934-1199807908806/Top10.pdf |access-date=19 December 2013 |publisher=Siteresources.worldbank.org}}</ref> Saudi Arabia is the largest source of remittances, contributing $5.9&nbsp;billion {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 July 2016 |title=Saudi Arabia remains largest source of remittances for Pakistan |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1142758/saudi-arabia-remains-largest-source-remittances/ |access-date=24 December 2016 |newspaper=The Express Tribune}}</ref> The term ''[[Overseas Pakistani]]'' is officially recognized by the Government of Pakistan, with the [[Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis|Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development]] addressing their needs, welfare, and issues. Overseas Pakistanis constitute the second-largest source of foreign exchange remittances to Pakistan, with remittances increasing by over 100% from US$8.9&nbsp;billion in 2009–10 to US$19.9&nbsp;billion in 2015–16.<ref name="remit" /><ref name="worldbank1" />

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Pakistan}}
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Pakistan (2023 census)<ref name="2023 Census">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_9.pdf|title=Religious Demographics of Pakistan 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212115052/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/national/table_9.pdf |archive-date=12 December 2024}}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd
|left1=Religions
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Pakistan|Islam]]|green|96.3}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hinduism]]|orange|2.2}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Pakistan|Christianity]]|blue|1.4}}
{{bar percent|[[Religion in Pakistan#Demographics of religion in Pakistan|others]]|purple|0.1}}
}}

[[Islam in Pakistan|Islam]] is the state religion,{{sfn|Munir|1975}} with freedom of religion guaranteed by the [[Constitution of Pakistan|constitution]].<ref name="CoP">{{cite web|title=Constitution of Pakistan|url=http://storyofpakistan.com/the-constitution-of-1973/|website=Story of Pakistan|date=June 2003|publisher=Nazaria-e-Pakistan, Part IV|access-date=6 October 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002225754/http://storyofpakistan.com/the-constitution-of-1973/|archive-date=2 October 2013}}<br />- {{cite web|title=Religions in Pakistan {{!}} PEW-GRF|url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/pakistan#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020&region_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2020|access-date=14 July 2021|website=www.globalreligiousfutures.org|archive-date=23 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123090234/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/pakistan#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020&region_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2020|url-status=dead}}<br />- {{cite web|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|title=World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples – Pakistan : Christians|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/5ba0ae0e7.html|access-date=14 July 2021|website=Refworld}}<br />- {{cite web|date=26 May 2018|title=Headcount finalised sans third-party audit|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1719994/headcount-finalised-sans-third-party-audit?amp=1|access-date=14 July 2021|website=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part2.ch1.html |title=The Constitution of Pakistan, Part II: Chapter 1: Fundamental Rights|publisher=Pakistani.org|access-date=22 August 2018}}</ref> The majority are Muslims (96.35%), followed by [[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hindus]] (2.17%) and [[Christianity in Pakistan|Christians]] (1.37%). Minorities include [[Sikhism in Pakistan|Sikhs]], [[Buddhism in Pakistan|Buddhists]], [[Jainism in Pakistan|Jains]], [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrians]] ([[Parsis|Parsi]]), and the unique [[Kalash people]] who practice [[animism]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan's Forgotten Pagans Get Their Due |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/28439107.html |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |date=19 April 2017}}</ref> In 2012, 2% of the population identified as atheist in a [[Gallup Pakistan|Gallup]] survey.<ref>{{cite news |last=Husain |first=Irfan |title=Faith in decline |url=http://dawn.com/2012/08/27/faith-in-decline/|access-date=16 December 2012 |newspaper=Dawn, Irfan |date=27 August 2012 |quote=Interestingly, and somewhat intriguingly, 2 per cent of the Pakistanis surveyed see themselves as atheists, up from 1pc in 2005. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121204113125/http://dawn.com/2012/08/27/faith-in-decline/ |archive-date=4 December 2012}}</ref>

==== Islam ====
{{Main|Islam in Pakistan}}
[[File:Faisal Masjid.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|left|[[Faisal Mosque]], built in 1986 by Turkish architect [[Vedat Dalokay]] on behalf of [[House of Saud|King]] [[Faisal bin Abdul-Aziz]] of Saudi Arabia]]

Islam dominates in Pakistan, with about 96.35% of the population being Muslim.<ref>Muhammad Qasim Zaman, ''Islam in Pakistan: A History'' (Princeton UP, 2018) [http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.php?id=53232 online review]
</ref> Pakistan ranks second globally in Muslim population,<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pbqfCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT5|title=Islam in India and Pakistan{{Snd}} A Religious History |last=Singh |first=Dr. Y P |publisher=Vij Books India Pvt Ltd |year=2016 |isbn=978-93-85505-63-8 |quote=Pakistan has the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia.}}<br />- see: [[Islam by country]]</ref> and is home to 10.5% of the world's Muslims.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/12/18/global-religious-landscape-exec/|title=The Global Religious Landscape|date=December 2012|publisher=Pew Research Center|access-date=5 November 2018}}</ref> Karachi is the largest Muslim city in the world.<ref>{{cite book|title=Cityscapes of Violence in Karachi: Publics and Counterpublics|first=Nichola|last= Khan|year= 2016| isbn= 978-0-19-086978-6|publisher=Oxford University Press|quote= ... With a population of over 23 million Karachi is also the world's largest Muslim city, the world's seventh largest conurbation ... }}</ref>

The majority follow [[Sunni Islam]], with a significant presence of [[Sufism in Pakistan|Sufism]], while Shia Muslims constitute a minority.<ref name="LoC2">{{cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Pakistan.pdf |title=Country Profile: Pakistan |date=February 2005 |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |quote=Religion: The overwhelming majority of the population (96.4 percent) is Muslim, of whom approximately 95 percent are Sunni follows [[Sufism]] and 5 percent Shia.|website=[[Library of Congress Country Studies]] on Pakistan|access-date=1 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html?countryName=Pakistan&countryCode=pk&regionCode=sas&#pk |title=Religions: Muslim 96.4% (Sunni 75%, Shia 20%), other |year=2010 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] |department=Pakistan (includes Christian and Hindu) 5% |access-date=28 August 2010 |website=[[The World Factbook]] |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226143549/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html?countryName=Pakistan&countryCode=pk&regionCode=sas&#pk |url-status=dead }}<br />- {{cite web |url=http://pewforum.org/Muslim/Mapping-the-Global-Muslim-Population%286%29.aspx |title=Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population |date=7 October 2009 |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327201319/http://pewforum.org/Muslim/Mapping-the-Global-Muslim-Population%286%29.aspx |archive-date=27 March 2010 |editor-first=Tracy |editor-last=Miller |access-date=9 June 2010 }}<br />- {{cite book |url=http://pewforum.org/newassets/images/reports/Muslimpopulation/Muslimpopulation.pdf |title=Mapping the Global Muslim Population: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World's Muslim Population |date=October 2009 |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]] |editor-last=Miller |editor-first=Tracy |access-date=28 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113140829/http://pewforum.org/newassets/images/reports/Muslimpopulation/Muslimpopulation.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 January 2010 }}<br />- {{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108505.htm |title=Pakistan – International Religious Freedom Report 2008 |publisher=[[United States Department of State]] |date=19 September 2008 |access-date=28 August 2010 }}</ref> Shias represent between 5–25%.<ref name="LoC2"/><ref name="ciafactbook" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pewforum.org/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-executive-summary/ |title=The World's Muslims: Unity and Diversity |date=9 August 2012 |website=Pew Research Center |access-date=26 December 2016 |quote=On the other hand, in Pakistan, where 6% of the survey respondents identify as Shia, Sunni attitudes are more mixed: 50% say Shias are Muslims, while 41% say they are not. }}<br />- {{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html?countryName=Pakistan&countryCode=pk&regionCode=sas&#pk |title=Field Listing : Religions |year=2010 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |access-date=24 August 2010 |website=[[The World Factbook]] |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226143549/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html?countryName=Pakistan&countryCode=pk&regionCode=sas&#pk |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Shia population in Pakistan was estimated at 42 million in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ammar Ali|last=Qureshi|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1515823|title=Non-fiction: Pakistan's Shia dynamics |date=10 November 2019|website=Dawn}}</ref> {{As of|2012}}, 12% of Pakistani Muslims self-identify as [[non-denominational Muslims]].<ref>{{cite web|date=9 August 2012|title=Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2012/08/09/the-worlds-muslims-unity-and-diversity-1-religious-affiliation/|access-date=12 April 2022|website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[Ahmadiyya in Pakistan|Ahmadis]] are a minority, officially considered non-Muslims.<ref>The 1998 Pakistani census states that there are 291,000 (0.22%) Ahmadis in Pakistan. However, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has boycotted the census since 1974 which renders official Pakistani figures to be inaccurate. Independent groups have estimated the Pakistani Ahmadiyya population to be somewhere between 2 million and 4 million Ahmadis. However, the 4 million figure is the most quoted figure and is approximately 2.2% of the country. See:
* over 2 million: {{cite web |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/49913b5f2c.html |title=Pakistan: The situation of Ahmadis, including legal status and political, education and employment rights; societal attitudes toward Ahmadis (2006 – Nov. 2008) |date=4 December 2008 |author=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada|access-date=28 June 2012}}
* 3 million: International Federation for Human Rights: ''International Fact-Finding Mission. Freedoms of Expression, of Association and of Assembly in Pakistan.'' Ausgabe 408/2, January 2005, S. 61 ([http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/pk408a-2.pdf PDF])
* 3–4 million: Commission on International Religious Freedom: ''Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.'' 2005, S. 130
* {{cite web |url=http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?page=country&category=&publisher=IRBC&type=QUERYRESPONSE&coi=PAK&rid=&docid=45f1478f20&skip=0 |title=Pakistan: Situation of members of the Lahori Ahmadiyya Movement in Pakistan|access-date=30 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108505.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Pakistan |date=19 September 2008 |publisher=[[United States Department of State|US State Department]]|access-date=24 June 2010}}</ref> Ahmadis face persecution, banned from calling themselves Muslims since 1974.<ref>New Approaches to the Analysis of Jihadism: Online and Offline, p. 38, Rüdiger Lohlker{{Snd}} 2012</ref>

==== Hinduism ====
{{Main|Hinduism in Pakistan}}
[[File:Hindu Proportion by Pakistani District - 2017 Census.svg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|
<div style="text-align: center">Hindu proportion of each Pakistani District in 2017 according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics</div>]]

[[Hinduism in Pakistan|Hinduism]] is the second-largest religion, followed by 2.17% of the population according to the census in 2023.<ref name="2023 Census" /> Pakistan had the fifth-largest Hindu population globally in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/hindus/pf_15-04-02_projectionstables96/ |title=10 Countries With the Largest Hindu Populations, 2010 and 2050 |date=2 April 2015 |website=Pew Research Center |access-date=13 January 2017 |archive-date=26 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226143905/http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/hindus/pf_15-04-02_projectionstables96/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2023, Hindus numbered 5,217,216.<ref name="2023 Census" />{{efn|This number includes population of the Hindu (Jati) and the scheduled castes.}} They reside across Pakistan but are concentrated in [[Sindh]], where they make up 8.81% of the population.<ref name="2023 Census" /> [[Umerkot district]] of the province is the only Hindu majority area. [[Tharparkar district]] hosts the largest Hindu population. Four districts – Umerkot, Tharparkar, [[Mirpurkhas District|Mirpurkhas]], and [[Sanghar District|Sanghar]] – have over half of Pakistan's Hindus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Population By Sex, Religion and Rural/Urban, Census - 2023 {{!}} Sindh |url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/sindh/dcr/table_9.pdf |website=pbs.gov.pk |publisher=Pakistan Bureau Statistics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726222045/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/sites/default/files/population/2023/tables/sindh/dcr/table_9.pdf |archive-date=26 July 2024}}</ref>

At Pakistan's inception, the 'hostage theory' suggested fair treatment of Hindus to safeguard Muslims in India.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n5c9ta97GeoC&pg=PA72 |title=The Long Partition and the Making of Modern South Asia: Refugees, Boundaries, Histories |last=Zamindar |first=Vazira Fazila-Yacoobali |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-231-13847-5 |page=72 |quote=The logic of the ''hostage theory'' tied the treatment of Muslim minorities in India to the treatment meted out to Hindus in Pakistan.}}</ref>{{R|Dhulipala-2015-6}} However, some Pakistani Hindus felt marginalized, leading to emigration to India.<ref name="bbc200703022">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6367773.stm |title=Hindus feel the heat in Pakistan |last=Sohail |first=Riaz |date=2 March 2007 |work=BBC News |quote=But many Hindu families who stayed in Pakistan after partition have already lost faith and migrated to India.|access-date=22 February 2011}}</ref> They faced violence post the [[Babri Masjid demolition]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE2DD113BF93BA35751C1A964958260&sec=&spon= |title=Pakistanis Attack 30 Hindu Temples |date=7 December 1992 |newspaper=The New York Times |quote=Muslims attacked more than 30 Hindu temples across Pakistan today, and the Government of this overwhelmingly Muslim nation closed offices and schools for a day to protest the destruction of a mosque in India.|access-date=15 April 2011}}</ref> enduring [[Forced conversion of minority girls in Pakistan|forced conversions]] and abductions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pakistan: 25 Hindu girls abducted every month; forcibly converted to Islam &#124; Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)|url=http://www.realcourage.org/2010/03/pakistan-25-hindu-girls-abducted-every-month/|access-date=12 April 2022|website=www.realcourage.org}}</ref>

==== Christianity and other religions ====
{{Main|Christianity in Pakistan}}
[[File:Christian Proportion by Pakistani District - 2017 Census.svg|thumb|right|upright=1.35|
<div style="text-align: center">Christian proportion of each Pakistani District in 2017 according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics</div>]]

Christians are the next largest religious minority after Hindus, constituting 1.37% of the population.<ref name="2023 Census"/> They are concentrated in [[Lahore District]] (5%) and [[Islamabad Capital Territory]] (over 4%). Karachi hosts a historic [[Roman Catholicism in Pakistan|Roman Catholic]] community established by [[Goa]]n and [[Tamil people|Tamil]] migrants during British colonial rule.<ref name="Districtwise">{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/district-wise-census-2017-results|title=District wise census|access-date=12 August 2021|archive-date=4 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804025540/https://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/district-wise-census-2017-results|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Following Christianity, the [[Bahá'í Faith in Pakistan|Bahá'í Faith]] had 30,000 followers in 2008, followed by Sikhism, Buddhism, and [[Zoroastrianism]], each with around 20,000 adherents in 2008,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistan—International Religious Freedom Report 2008 |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108505.htm |access-date=28 August 2010 |quote=The majority of Muslims in the country are Sunni, with a Shi'a minority ranging between 10 to 20 percent.|year=2008 |publisher=[[United States Department of State]]}}</ref> alongside a small [[Jainism in Pakistan|Jain community]].

=== Education ===
{{Main|Education in Pakistan}}
{{See also|Higher Education Commission (Pakistan)|Rankings of universities in Pakistan}}
[[File:NUST MainOffice.png|thumb|[[NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science|NUST]] in Islamabad is a top ranked Engineering University.]]

Pakistan's [[constitution of Pakistan|constitution]] mandates [[Free education|free]] primary and secondary education,<ref>{{cite web |title=Chapter 1: "Fundamental Rights" of Part II: "Fundamental Rights and Principles of Policy" |url=http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/part2.ch1.html |website=pakistani.org}}<br />- {{cite web |date=21 April 2006 |title=Right to Education in Pakistan |url=http://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-commissions/international-affairs/human-rights-and-impunity/the-right-to-education-in-pakistan.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313083147/http://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-commissions/international-affairs/human-rights-and-impunity/the-right-to-education-in-pakistan.html |archive-date=13 March 2012 |access-date=25 July 2010 |publisher=World Council of Churches}}</ref> with public universities established in each province, including [[University of the Punjab|Punjab University]], [[Sindh University]], [[University of Peshawar|Peshawar University]], [[University of Karachi|Karachi University]], and [[University of Balochistan|Balochistan University]]. The country's educational landscape encompasses both [[Public university|public]] and [[Private university|private]] universities, fostering collaboration to enhance research and [[Higher education in Pakistan|higher education]] opportunities, albeit with concerns regarding teaching quality in newer institutions.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 September 2015 |title=Number of universities rises while education standard falls |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/10-Sep-2015/number-of-universities-rises-while-education-standard-falls |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151006074617/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/islamabad/10-Sep-2015/number-of-universities-rises-while-education-standard-falls |archive-date=6 October 2015 |access-date=11 September 2015 |website=DailyTimes}}</ref> [[vocational education|Technical and vocational institutions]] in Pakistan number approximately 3,193,<ref name="edu2">{{cite report |title=Economic Survey 2009–10 |publisher=Ministry of Finance, Pakistan |page=147 & Table 11.1 (p. 160) |access-date=2 January 2012 |chapter=Education |chapter-url=http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_10/10_Education.pdf |archive-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113072252/http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_10/10_Education.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> complemented by ''[[Madrassas in Pakistan|madrassahs]]'' providing free Islamic education to students,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pakistani madrassahs |url=http://www.uvm.edu/~envprog/madrassah.html#_ftn8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050214194645/http://www.uvm.edu/~envprog/madrassah.html#_ftn8 |archive-date=14 February 2005 |access-date=21 February 2009 |publisher=United States Institute of Peace}}</ref> with government efforts to [[Education reform|regulate and monitor]] their quality amidst concerns over extremists recruitment.<ref>{{cite web |last=Synovitz |first=Ron |date=24 February 2004 |title=Pakistan: Despite Reform Plan, Few Changes Seen At Most Radical Madrassahs |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1051650.html |access-date=21 February 2009 |publisher=Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty}}<br />- {{cite web |last1=Ali |first1=Syed Mohammad |title=Policy Brief: Another Approach to Madrassa Reforms in Pakistan |url=http://jinnah-institute.org/policy-brief-another-approach-to-madrassa-reforms-in-pakistan-3/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518112052/http://jinnah-institute.org/policy-brief-another-approach-to-madrassa-reforms-in-pakistan-3/ |archive-date=18 May 2015 |access-date=21 February 2015 |publisher=Jinnah Institute of Peace}}</ref> [[Education in Pakistan|Education]] is divided into six main levels, including nursery, primary, [[Middle school|middle]], [[High school (upper secondary)|matriculation]], [[Community college|intermediate]], and university programs.<ref name="edu2" /> Additionally, [[Schools in Pakistan|private schools]] offer a parallel secondary education system based on the curriculum set by the [[Cambridge International Examinations]],<ref>{{cite web |title=GCE O and A level exams in Pakistan |url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-gce.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201090835/http://www.britishcouncil.org/pakistan-exams-gce.htm |archive-date=1 February 2008 |access-date=13 February 2008 |publisher=[[British Council]]}}</ref> with 439 international schools reported in Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web |title=ISC News |url=http://www.iscresearch.com/information/isc-news.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000123/http://www.iscresearch.com/information/isc-news.aspx |archive-date=4 March 2016 |publisher=International School Consultancy Group}}</ref>

[[File:Malala Yousafzai and Kaliash Satyarthi at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.jpg|thumb|[[Malala Yousafzai]] was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in 2014, alongside [[Kailash Satyarthi]] of India, for her advocacy of educational initiatives, particularly girls' education worldwide.|left]]

Initiatives since 2007 made [[English medium education]] mandatory nationwide. Following a 2012 attack on activist [[Malala Yousafzai]] by the [[Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan|Taliban]], she became the youngest Nobel laureate for her education advocacy.<ref>{{cite web |last=McNicoll |first=Kristen |title=English medium education improvement in Pakistan supported |url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/press/english-medium-education-improvement-pakistan-supported |access-date=21 February 2015 |publisher=British Council Pakistan Bureau}}<br />- {{cite web |title=Ministry of Education-Government of Pakistan |url=http://www.moe.gov.pk/mediacell.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105215406/http://www.moe.gov.pk/mediacell.htm |archive-date=5 January 2007 |access-date=1 January 2012 |publisher=Moe.gov.pk}}</ref> Reforms in 2013 mandated Chinese language courses in Sindh, reflecting China's growing influence. As of 2018, Pakistan's literacy rate stands at 62.3%, with significant regional and gender disparities.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 June 2019 |title=Pakistan Economic Survey 2018–19 Chapter 10: Education |url=http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_19/10-Education.pdf |access-date=7 July 2019 |work=Dawn |archive-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707005708/http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_19/10-Education.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Government initiatives, including computer literacy since 1995, aim to eradicate illiteracy, targeting 100% enrollment among primary school-age children and an ~86% literacy rate by 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=National Plan of Action 2001–2015 |url=http://www.moe.gov.pk/npaEFA.zip |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517232352/http://www.moe.gov.pk/npaEFA.zip |archive-date=17 May 2006 |access-date=13 February 2008 |publisher=Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan |format=ZIP}}</ref> Pakistan allocates 2.3% of its GDP to education,<ref>{{cite news |title=Pakistan Economic Survey 2019–20 (Education) |url=http://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_20/10_Education.pdf |access-date=25 May 2021 |archive-date=21 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210621162712/https://finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_20/10_Education.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> among the lowest in South Asia.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 April 2016 |title=Pakistan's education spending lowest in South Asia |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1254909/pakistans-education-spending-lowest-in-south-asia |publisher=Dawn}}</ref>
{{Clear}}