Reduction in non-Muslim population: FO terms Indian propaganda baseless

Foreign Office on Saturday dismissed the Indian propaganda about reduction in Pakistan's non-Muslim population as 'baseless, malicious and based on inaccurate facts.' "It has been observed that various Indian politicians and commentators repeatedly peddle the argument that Pakistan's non-Muslim population has shrunk from 23 percent in 1947 to 3.72 percent presently," said Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal, adding, "We own the white in our flag, as much as the green."

If these figures are examined closely, it can be seen that according to the first census held in Pakistan, in 1951, the non-Muslim population of West Pakistan, presently Pakistan, was 3.44 percent, whilst the East Pakistan, presently Bangladesh, had 23.2 percent non-Muslims, therefore the overall population of non-Muslims, cumulatively, was 14.2 percent, he said.

However, he continued saying that after the separation of East Pakistan, census was conducted in Pakistan and non-Muslims comprised 3.25 percent of the total population. "This apparent reduction in proportion was because of the separation of East Pakistan and formation of Bangladesh...Henceforth, it can be seen that the Indian propaganda regarding the reduction of non-Muslims' share in Pakistan's population is baseless, malicious and based on inaccurate facts," the spokesperson added.

Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, while moving the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill in the Indian Lok Sabha on Monday last, has claimed that at the time of Independence, non-Muslims comprised 23 percent of Pakistan's population and that by 2011 their share was reduced to 3.7 percent. With regards to Bangladesh, Shah claimed that in 1947, non-Muslims comprised 22 percent of its population and their share in 2011 fell to 7.8 percent.