Unveiling the Situation of Religious Minorities: A Case Study of Marginalized Groups Living in Lahore

The research was conducted to explore the situation of religious minorities in acquiring job opportunities, difficulties face by them at worship places and in accessing health facilities. Objectives of the study are to analyze how Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis and Sikhs are marginalized in the society; to explore the issues face by religious minorities at worship places; and to document their perceptions about provision of health care facilities. For data collection, snowball sampling and purposive sampling technique were used. A sample size of thirty respondents comprising of, ten Christians, eight Ahmadis, six Hindus and six Sikhs were interviewed. In order to collect the data, in-depth interviews was used as research technique. Interview guide was used as a tool for data collection. Data was analyzed by using thematic analysis. It is found in the research that religious minorities in Lahore, Pakistan were in a grimy condition. They face negligence from state institutions; exploited by extremist groups and general public show hatred towards them. The research reveals that people of this society socially exclude the religious minorities from mainstream of society just because of their religion. They have no equal opportunity in jobs. People limit their interaction with religious minorities because people label them untouchable. The government has least priority to provide security to religious minorities. This research also found that they are also facing marginalization in provision of health care facilities.