Pak minority voters increase by 30% but are still living on the edge
electorates – this meant nonmuslims could elect up to 10 members through direct elections but could not vote in general constituencies or Muslim constituencies.
After protests by minority representatives, the joint electorate was re-introduced by Pervez Musharraf’s regime. Reserved seats for non-muslims are now distributed among political parties in proportion to the number of constituencies won by them.
But Latif argued both these systems failed to provide effective representation and political influence.
As things stand, Hindu voters continue to maintain their majority among minorities. Christians form the second largest group but both communities have been increasingly targeted by religious and extremist groups while mainstream politicians looked the other way.
The Ahmadi community, declared non-muslims in the 1970s, faces the biggest quandary. They refuse to stand or vote as non-muslims, and thus go unrepresented in Parliament.
Meanwhile, Britain’s annual human rights report for 2017 highlighted a catalogue of concerns in Pakistan, mainly relating to Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities continuing to suffer persecution and discrimination.
There were recurrent reports during 2017 of forced conversions and forced marriages of Hindu and Christian women.