Zero discrimination refers to a society with no discrimination. Discrimination has different types and forms; it can be religious, sex-based, cultural, racial or language-based. Discrimination can be explicit or subtle. In Pakistan where laws align with Islamic principles, where discrimination is prohibited. However, we still far behind in implementing it.

Gender Discrimination

Gender discrimination remains a main issue in Pakistan as men hold the privileges whether it is having a fine job, higher education, better salary, leadership roles, or a voice of authority and power. Discrimination against women violates international treaties and laws including Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Article 26 of Pakistan constitution ensures equal employment opportunities, while Article 25 of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan states that all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection and there should be no discrimination based on sex. However, women still face early marriages, even before reaching the age of puberty, why? because their gender in Pakistani society doesn’t allow them to have a voice of consent.

Religious Discrimination

Religious discrimination is another critical issue in Pakistan as constitution of Pakistan protects the right of religious minorities under article 25, 26, 27, 33 and 36. However, the ongoing issues of forced conversions, temple destructions, false blasphemy allegations highlight the gaps in implementation and failure of government to protect the rights of religious minorities. These discriminatory practices against minorities in Pakistan are against Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as Article 18 of the ICCPR protects freedom of religion and belief, and prohibits coercion to change one’s religion.

Pakistan penal code prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion. Section 153-A: Criminalizes acts that promote enmity between groups based on religion, race, or other factors. Under article 6 of Protection of the Rights of Religious Minorities Act, 2020: every citizen has Freedom to Profess Religion and to manage Religious institutions but by violating all national and international laws mob violence demolished an old Hanuman temple in Lyari, Karachi in 2020 also the homes of about 20 Hindu families that lived near the temple.

Cultural, Racial and Language Discrimination

Cultural, racial, color and language discrimination where sindhi and Baloch consider uneducated, less powerful, whereas most of the leaders come from these marginalized community. Language and cultural discrimination where sindhi thinks their traditions are far better than Punjabi, Punjabi thinks their language and heritage are rich and Pakhtun believes they are rich in culture. These provincial and cultural segregation impact the unity of people.

Punjab, being the most populous province, holds the majority of National Assembly seats, leading to concerns of political dominance over smaller provinces which leads to discrimination against power and resources, Inequitable Resources and Economic disparities arise when certain provinces, such as Balochistan, receive less funding and development initiatives than other provinces. People from smaller provinces feel disregarded when they are not provided with equal positions and opportunities in political and economic grounds which leads to hatred towards other communities.