Minority backgrounds, especially Christian prisoners, face systemic bias in Pakistani prisons, and are abused by prison staff and Muslim prisoners, new research shows.
According to a survey released on August 15th, released by the National Judicial Peace and Peace Commission (NCJP), an organisation of the Catholic Church, they are labelled “untouchables” and are given voluntary tasks, such as cleaning toilets.
Among the worst prisoners discriminated against as the worst prisoners are prisoners who have been charged under the country’s harsh blasphemous ASP laws and other religiously motivated cases, the report says.
Zakrya John spoke about the light letter of a Christian prisoner in custody at NCJP, imprisoned on March 15, 2015 on charges of lynching two Muslims after the suicide bombing of twin churches in two churches in a Christian settlement in Lahore on March 15, 2015.
“Around 100 Christians faced accusations of lynching two Muslims and engaging in looting and vandalism,” John said. “For almost three months, our place remained private to anyone. During detention, we were forced to drink water from Rota (a vessel normally used in toilets). One person opened his mouth and another poured water into the same container.”
His prison only offered six plates to 100 inmates, John said.
“We replaced these limited tools. Initially, we were limited to rooms that were previously used by tuberculosis patients. “We remained in these conditions for three months. The workers faced questions when they were found, but occasionally provided us with fragments of soap. After using the toilet, we had to rub against the wall to clean our hands.”
Three months later, they were allowed to visit from their family. The family brought plates, soap and other important items, he said.
“Later, fellow inmates informed us that soap, blankets and other essentials were to be provided by the prison administration,” John said. “But we were systematically denied these basic regulations.”
Once the religious identities of prisoners have become public, authorities treat Christians and Hindu prisoners poorly, and refrain from offering remission of texts provided to Muslims, according to a study conducted in 128 prisons in six areas between May 2023 and March 2025. Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
“Prisons in Punjab and Khaibha Paktanwa have given tolerance to the sentences of 1,937 Muslim prisoners by 1,937 Muslim prisoners between 2022 and 2025, remembering the Quran and observing Ramadan,” the report states. “However, Christian, Hindu and Sikh prisoners were not permitted to benefit similarly.”
Prisoners who remember the Quran will undergo six months of remission, which applies to all states, according to the Prison Population Rule 215 of the Pakistan Prison Rules of 1978. Additionally, Rule 214 grants a month of remission to observe Ramadan fasting.
Hundreds of Muslim prisoners have benefited from these remissions each year since the rules were instituted, the study found.
“These regulations theoretically allow religious minority prisoners to receive similar remissions under Rule 215 through exams showing understandings of Geeta, Bible and Guru Grant Sahib for Hindu, Christian and Sikh prisoners, respectively, but no practices exist,” the study states.
Similarly, Sindh Prisons and Corrections Service Act 2019, Chapter XXXIII, Section 787 grants educational remission, and Section 789 awards regular prayers and special remission for Ramadan adherence. The law also provides repentance to study Christian and Hindu scriptures (Bible and Geeta).
“However, the federal and state governments have failed to approve the necessary syllabus and have effectively deprived a small number of prisoners of their right to sentence them based on religious education and improved character,” the report said.
The NCJP urged federal and state governments to address religious discrimination in prisoner remission policies. Ensures the provision of basic education for a small number of prisoners. Allows civil society organizations to educate minority prisoners on remission rules and procedures for both formal and religious education programs. Ensure transparent data collection for minority prisoners. Improve mental health services, especially for inmates facing the death penalty. Ensure stronger protection against torture, including a confidential complaint system to help prisoners.
As of March, the Punjab correctional facility housed 1,588 minority prisoners, of which 1,315 were brought to trial, 232 were found guilty, 34 were condemned, and seven were confirmed prisoners.
“This represents an increase since May 2023 when 1,317 prisoners belonging to minority religious communities were trapped in various Punjabi prisons.
Of the total population of Sindh’s 19,447 prisoners, 133 belonged to a religious minority. The prison in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province owns 27 minority prisoners (25 Christians and two Hindus), the NCJP has found.
Pakistan ranked 8th on the 2025 World Watchlist, where it’s the hardest place to become a Christian.
