Census shows decline of Pakistan s Christian population
Bishop Shukardin says the figures are misleading because many Christians do not have identity cards
The Christian population in Pakistan has declined over almost two decades, according to government data.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics report of the sixth Population and Housing Census-2017, released on May 18, Christians make up 1.27 per cent of Pakistan s population of 207.68 million. Most of them (1.88 percent) reside in Punjab.
Hindus comprised 1.73 per cent of Pakistan s population, making them the biggest minority group in the country.
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Catholics mourn Sri Lankan bishop who founded Pakistan vicariate
Bishop Gnanapragasam will be buried in the apostolic prefecture of Quetta on Dec. 15
Bishop Victor Gnanapragasam (standing) with Sharafat Sharif and Father Renald Lawrence planting a tree at the bishop’s house in Quetta. (Photo: Sharafat Sharif)
Prayers have been offered in Catholic churches across Pakistan for the late Sri Lankan missionary bishop who founded the apostolic prefecture of Quetta.
Bishop Victor Gnanapragasam died aged 80 on Dec. 12. His funeral will be held on Dec. 15 at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Quetta.
“Despite facing challenges of language and culture, he served in a challenging region and headed the Catholic bishops Commission for Catechetics from 2006 to 2010. We are very sad. It is a very big loss,” Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore told UCA News.