Pakistani Christians rally for equal rights

Thousands of Christians in Pakistan marked National Minorities Day on Aug. 11 with protest rallies in three major Pakistani cities, calling for constitutional equality and religious freedom and urging the government to move beyond ceremonial celebrations to address long-standing discrimination.

In Karachi, more than 2,000 protesters gathered at the mausoleum of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, carrying placards reading “My religion, my will” and featuring photographs of victims of mob lynchings, forced conversions, blasphemy-related attacks, and assassinated Christian leaders.

Demonstrators gather for the Minority Rights March at the mausoleum of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in Karachi on Aug. 11, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Luke Victor

“Young people are saying: ‘We shall snatch our freedom,’” Luke Victor, organizer of the Minority Rights March, told EWTN News.

Addressing the rally , speakers demanded an end to faith-based discrimination and violent extremism against religious minorities and called for changes to constitutional provisions they say deny minorities equal access to public office.

Victor said protesters wanted Articles 41 and 91…