British Hindu advocacy group INSIGHT UK has raised concerns over religious discrimination, forced conversion allegations and threats facing Hindus in Pakistan. Its report, The Cost of Silence, was published on October 26, 2026, and presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus in London, calling for stronger international attention to minority rights.
INSIGHT UK Report on Hindu Persecution
The report combines historical records and accounts of alleged violence, displacement and restrictions affecting Hindu communities.
INSIGHT UK argues that repeated attacks, loss of property and unequal treatment have weakened the community's economic security and religious freedom.
The organisation also questions whether Pakistan's legal protections adequately safeguard minorities and ensure equal opportunities.
Pakistan Hindu Population and Census Figures
The report cites historical figures suggesting Hindus represented nearly 17% of the population in territories forming present-day Pakistan in 1901 and approximately 14.6% in 1941.
Partition in 1947 caused major population movements, with many Hindu families migrating to India.
Pakistan's 2023 census records approximately 3.87 million people as Hindu Jati, representing 1.61% of the population. Another 1.35 million people, or 0.56%, appear under the separate Scheduled Castes category.
Together, these categories represent approximately 2.17%. Historical comparisons must therefore account for migration, population changes and census definitions.
Forced Conversions of Minority Women in Pakistan
INSIGHT UK raises concerns about the alleged abduction, forced religious conversion and marriage of Hindu and Christian women and girls.
The organisation cites estimates suggesting that more than 1,000 women and girls from minority communities face such abuses annually.
However, reliable national data remains limited, making the precise number difficult to verify independently.
Pakistan's National Commission on the Rights of the Child has also acknowledged forced conversions and marriages among problems affecting minority girls.
Religious Discrimination and Temple Attacks
The report highlights attacks on Hindu places of worship and allegations of religious prejudice in educational materials.
It also describes property losses following Partition and restrictions that minority communities face in practising their faith.
INSIGHT UK argues that these concerns require stronger law enforcement, transparent investigations and meaningful access to justice.
The report calls for greater protection of religious sites and accountability for violence targeting minorities.
Also Read : British Hindu Advocacy and Religious Freedom
UK Recommendations for Minority Protection
INSIGHT UK has urged the British government to make minority protection a priority in diplomatic discussions with Pakistan.
Its recommendations include directing part of UK assistance towards organisations protecting religious minorities and monitoring how support is used.
The group also seeks regular reports on minority communities' social and economic conditions, improved access to justice and asylum pathways for people facing persecution.
The proposals aim to strengthen accountability while encouraging practical measures to protect vulnerable communities.
