Christians suffering degrading treatment in Pakistan prisons

A new report has found that Christians and Hindus are discriminated against and maltreated in Pakistan’s prisons.

Christian and Hindu prisoners in Pakistan suffer degrading treatment and discrimination, according to a three-year study by the Pakistan Bishops’ Conference’s National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP). 

The Hope Behind the Bars report found inmates from minority religions were treated as ‘untouchables’ by both prison staff and fellow prisoners, assigned degrading tasks, and denied basic provisions including soap and blankets. 

One former prisoner, Zakria John, described how 100 Christian detainees were denied cups and forced to drink water from vessels typically used in washrooms. 

“Only six plates were provided for one hundred inmates,” he said. “We took turns eating from these limited utensils. Initially, we were confined to a room previously used for tuberculosis patients, with used syringes scattered throughout. A worker occasionally provided us with soap fragments, although he faced questioning when discovered. After using the toilet, we often had to clean our hands by rubbing them against the wall.” 

• Why is Pakistan number eight on the World Watch List? 

Sentence reductions handed to Muslims only 

The study also detailed a system in which Muslim prisoners receive sentence reductions for memorising the Quran, or observing Ramadan, while minority-faith prisoners are denied an equivalent. Between 2022 and 2025, the study records that nearly 2,000 Muslim prisoners in Punjab Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province received such reductions. No prisoner from a minority faith did. 

While some inmates stated they had not faced discrimination because of their faith, other Christian prisoners strongly disagreed and described Christians being housed in unsanitary and filthy conditions.  

The NCJP recorded facing significant obstacles in its investigation, with attempts at data collection hampered by officials refusing to cooperate. 

The study also raised questions over the exact numbers of non-Muslim prisoners jailed in Pakistan. In Punjab Province, officials claim 1,180 non-Muslims are in jails. However, one Christian prisoner recorded more than 500 Christians in a single jail in the province.  

Authorities refusing to cooperate 

“The study raises grave questions concerning what is hidden from public view,” notes Thomas Mueller*, an Open Doors persecution analyst. “The researchers describe a three-year struggle to access basic information, including legal and procedural limitations and lack of cooperation from authorities. This in itself is extremely worrying.” 

Pakistan’s prisons suffer from severe overcrowding and inadequate access to healthcare, clean water and sanitation. The UN raised serious concerns about these conditions during Pakistan’s October 2024 review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 

Please join in praying for religious minorities in prison – for fair treatment and, for Christians, that they would know Jesus with them and find opportunities to shine the light of Christ in these dark places. 

*Name changed for security reasons