A Sociological Profile of the Christian Minority in Pakistan

Although the ethnic origins of Pakistani Christians are diverse, the great majority of them are Punjabis. Very aware of their minority status within an Islamic state, many Christians overlook the customs and social institutions that they share in common with Muslims of the same ethnic background. The first part of this article discusses the geographical distribution, the ethnic composition, and the religious and social identity of Pakistani Christians, while the second part reveals how four important aspects of Punjabi culture—worldview, biraderi and family orientation, izzat, and patron-client relationships—influence social behavior within the Christian community.