Religious Freedom in Constitution: A Comparative Study Between Bangladesh and Pakistan

Abstract

This study analyzes the legal, historical, and sociopolitical backgrounds of the constitutions that control religious freedom in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although the two countries have similar cultural roots and a common colonial background, they have taken very different stances when it comes to striking a balance between governmental policies and religious freedom. Whereas the state supports Islam as the official religion of the Republic, Bangladesh combines secularism with constitutional protections for religious freedom. The constitutional framework of Pakistan, on the other hand, is mostly Islamic, which has a significant impact on how religious freedom is interpreted and implemented there. To investigate the effects of state actions, judicial interpretations, and constitutional provisions on minority rights, interfaith harmony, and the larger social fabric, the study uses a comparative analysis.