FPSC (Federal Public Service Commission) · CSS (Central Superior Services)
Religions in Pakistan
People & Demographics of Pakistan
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
49 MCQs
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of 49 MCQs
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1
Which article of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan declares Islam as the state religion?
Answer:
Article 2
Article 2 of the Constitution of Pakistan explicitly states that Islam shall be the State religion of Pakistan. This provision establishes the foundational religious character of the state, which is further reinforced by Article 2A, making the Objective Resolution a substantive part of the Constitution, ensuring that the state enables Muslims to order their lives in accordance with the fundamental principles of Islam.
2
According to the results of the 2023 Digital Census, approximately what percentage of Pakistan's population is Muslim?
Answer:
96.35%
The 7th Population and Housing Census (2023 Digital Census) indicates that Muslims constitute approximately 96.35% of the total population of Pakistan. This majority includes various sects, primarily Sunnis and Shias. The remaining percentage consists of Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis, Sikhs, and other religious minorities, maintaining a demographic trend that has remained relatively stable over the last few decades.
3
Which religious group constitutes the largest minority in Pakistan as of 2025?
Answer:
Hindus
Hindus are the largest religious minority in Pakistan, making up roughly 2.14% of the population according to recent census data. The vast majority of the Hindu population resides in the Sindh province, where they play a significant role in the socio-economic and cultural fabric of the region. Significant Hindu communities are also found in parts of Punjab and Balochistan.
4
National Minorities Day is observed annually in Pakistan on which date?
Answer:
August 11
August 11 was declared National Minorities Day in 2009 to commemorate the historic speech made by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947. In this speech, he famously stated, 'You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan.' The day serves to recognize the contributions and rights of non-Muslim citizens in Pakistan.
5
Which historic Hindu temple, located in the Lasbela district of Balochistan, is one of the most important Shakti Peethas in the region?
Answer:
Hinglaj Mata (Nani Mandir)
Hinglaj Mata, also known as Hinglaj Devi or Nani Mandir, is situated in a mountain cave on the banks of the Hingol River in Balochistan. It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and is highly revered by Hindus across the subcontinent. The annual Hinglaj Yatra is the largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan, drawing thousands of devotees who travel through the rugged terrain of the Hingol National Park.
6
The Kartarpur Corridor, inaugurated in 2019, connects the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India to which Gurdwara in Pakistan?
Answer:
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur
The Kartarpur Corridor provides visa-free access for Indian Sikh pilgrims to reach Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in the Narowal district of Pakistan. This site is of immense spiritual importance as it is where Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, spent the last 18 years of his life and established the first Sikh commune. The corridor is considered a significant milestone in religious diplomacy between Pakistan and India.
7
Which constitutional body is responsible for providing legal advice to the government on whether laws are repugnant to the injunctions of Islam?
Answer:
Council of Islamic Ideology (CII)
The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) is a constitutional body established to ensure that no law is enacted which is contrary to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. While its recommendations are advisory and not binding on the Parliament or Provincial Assemblies, the CII plays a central role in the 'Islamization' of laws and providing expert opinions on sensitive religious and social issues.
8
Which religious community in Pakistan is primarily concentrated in the Karachi metropolitan area and is known for its contribution to education and business?
Answer:
Parsis (Zoroastrians)
The Parsi community, though very small in number, has had a profound impact on the development of Karachi. Known for their philanthropy and business acumen, members of this community established iconic institutions such as the Mama Parsi Girls' Secondary School and the NED University. They follow Zoroastrianism and have a distinct cultural identity that is highly respected in Pakistan.
9
The second amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, passed in 1974, primarily addressed the status of which group?
Answer:
Ahmadiyya community
In September 1974, during the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the National Assembly of Pakistan passed the Second Amendment. This amendment legally defined a 'Muslim' and 'non-Muslim,' thereby declaring the Ahmadiyya community as a non-Muslim minority for the purposes of the Constitution and law. This decision followed intense religious and political debates and has since remained a cornerstone of the country's religious laws.
10
In which city is the St. Patrick's Cathedral, one of the oldest and largest churches in Pakistan, located?
Answer:
Karachi
St. Patrick's Cathedral is situated in the Saddar area of Karachi. Completed in 1881, it is a magnificent example of Gothic Revival architecture and serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi. It is a major landmark for the Christian community in Pakistan, which is the second-largest minority group in the country after Hindus.
11
Which unique religious group lives in the three remote valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir in the Chitral district?
Answer:
Kalash people
The Kalash people are an indigenous minority in the Hindu Kush mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They practice a unique form of polytheistic religion that involves ancient rituals, dancing, and seasonal festivals like Chilam Joshi. Their culture and language are distinct from the surrounding populations, and their valleys are a major site for cultural tourism in Pakistan.
12
The historic 'Katas Raj Temples', a significant site for Hindu pilgrims, are located in which district of Punjab?
Answer:
Chakwal
The Katas Raj Temples are a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways. Located in the Salt Range near Chakwal, the site features a pond which, according to Hindu mythology, was created by the tears of Lord Shiva. The government of Pakistan has undertaken various restoration projects to preserve this site as part of its heritage tourism initiative.
13
How many seats are reserved for non-Muslim minorities in the National Assembly of Pakistan as of 2025?
Answer:
10
Under the Constitution of Pakistan, 10 seats are reserved for non-Muslims in the 336-member National Assembly. These members are elected through a proportional representation system based on the total number of general seats won by each political party. Similar reservations exist in the Provincial Assemblies to ensure minority representation in the legislative process.
14
Which government department is responsible for the protection and management of religious shrines and properties left behind by those who migrated during partition?
Answer:
Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB)
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) is a statutory body of the Government of Pakistan. It manages the land and properties attached to educational, charitable, or religious trusts left by Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India in 1947. The ETPB is crucial for the maintenance of Gurdwaras and Mandirs and for facilitating international pilgrims visiting these sites.
15
The Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act, 2018, was a significant legislative milestone because it was the first time:
Answer:
Sikh marriages were given separate legal recognition from other faiths
The Punjab Sikh Anand Karaj Marriage Act was passed by the Punjab Assembly to provide a separate legal framework for the registration of Sikh marriages. Previously, Sikh marriages were often registered under laws applicable to other minorities. This act allowed the Sikh community to register their unions according to their own religious customs and ceremonies (Anand Karaj), strengthening their legal status.
16
The 'Hindu Marriage Act 2017' was the first federal law in Pakistan to:
Answer:
Regulate and register Hindu marriages and provide for divorce and remarriage
The Hindu Marriage Act 2017 was a landmark federal law that provided a comprehensive mechanism for the registration of marriages among the Hindu community. It addressed long-standing issues regarding legal documentation for married Hindu women and provided legal grounds for the dissolution of marriage and the rights of children, ensuring better protection of the community's civil rights.
17
In which city is the Gurdwara Janam Asthan, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, located?
Answer:
Nankana Sahib
Gurdwara Janam Asthan is located in the city of Nankana Sahib (formerly Rai Bhoi Di Talwandi) in Punjab. It marks the birthplace of the first Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji. Every year, thousands of Sikhs from around the world, including India, visit this shrine for the 'Gurpurab' celebrations, which the government of Pakistan facilitates with special visas and security.
18
The 'Lal Shahbaz Qalandar' shrine, a major center for Sufi 'dhamaal' and interfaith devotion, is located in which town of Sindh?
Answer:
Sehwan Sharif
The shrine of the 13th-century Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is located in Sehwan Sharif. The saint is revered by people of all faiths, including many Hindus. The annual 'Urs' (festival) is famous for the traditional Sufi dance known as 'Dhamaal'. The shrine serves as a symbol of the pluralistic and mystical religious traditions found in Sindh.
19
Which article of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the 'Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions'?
Answer:
Article 20
Article 20 of the Constitution provides that, subject to law, public order, and morality: (a) every citizen has the right to profess, practice, and propagate his religion; and (b) every religious denomination and every sect thereof has the right to establish, maintain, and manage its religious institutions. This is a fundamental right that protects religious minorities and various Islamic sects.
20
The 'Federal Shariat Court' (FSC) of Pakistan was established during the regime of which leader?
Answer:
General Zia-ul-Haq
The Federal Shariat Court was established in 1980 by General Zia-ul-Haq as part of his Islamization program. The court has the power to examine and determine whether any law is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam. Its decisions can be appealed to the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
