News Desk
Brussels, Jan 27, 2026:
Pakistan has been ranked eighth in the Open Doors World Watch List 2026, which tracks persecution of Christians in 50 countries annually.
The report states that more than 388 million Christians globally are experiencing high levels of persecution and discrimination due to their faith.
The World Watch List was presented on January 27, 2026, at a high-level event at the European Parliament in Brussels, hosted by the Chairs of the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Intergroup, Members of the European Parliament Miriam Lexmann (EPP), Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR), and co-hosted by MEP Matej Tonin (EPP), said the press release
During a question-and-answer session post report presentation, Joseph Janssen, a minority rights activist from Pakistan, highlighted ongoing risks faced by religious minorities in the country despite recent legislative developments, stated the presser
He pointed to the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Act, passed in May 2025, which set the legal minimum age of marriage at 18. Janssen said that minority girls, continue to face abduction, forced religious conversion, and marriage to their alleged abductors, with limited enforcement of the law, adds the presser
Janssen also raised concerns about the misuse of blasphemy laws, stating that false accusations are frequently leveled against Christians, leading to mob violence, attacks on churches, and prolonged detention without due process. He referenced the August 2023 attacks in Jaranwala, where at least 26 churches were burned, noting that many perpetrators have still not been held accountable.
While acknowledging limited action against some extremist entities, Janssen said that religious prisoners remain incarcerated, victims have not received justice, and a culture of impunity persists in certain cases.
According to the World Watch List 2026, Christians, who comprise approximately 1.8% of Pakistan’s population continue to face systemic discrimination, including violence, forced conversions, bonded labor, and gender-based persecution, with limited state protection, states the press release.