A new ruling from a Pakistani high court is requiring citizens to disclose their religious beliefs when applying for civil service, a move that many critics say is an attack on religious minorities.
The March 9 Islamabad High Court ruling also includes a declaration that all Muslim candidates in civil service, regardless of religiosity, are required to swear that Prophet Muhammad was the last prophet of God.
Ejaz Mall, a Christian civil servant, told Religion News Service that this ruling has spread fear among religious minority communities in Pakistan, which is a Muslim-majority country.
“Already it is difficult for us as minorities to retain our government jobs. With this court judgment, we can forget whatever normalcy we had in our lives,” Mall said. “Many people will face socioeconomic exclusion if the order is implemented.”
