Religions and sects Shia and Sunni Estimates of the size of the two largest religious groups in Pakistan vary. According to Library of Congress, Pew Research Center, Oxford University, the CIA Factbook and other experts, adherents of Shia Islam in Pakistan make up around 10 \% of the country's total Muslim population, while the remaining 90 \% are Sunni. Pakistan, like India, is said to have atleast 10 million Shias. Globally, Shias constitutes 10  \% of the total Muslims, while the overwhelming majority ( 90\% ) practice Sunni Islam. Of the Sunni, the majority follow the Barelvi school, while minority follow the Deobandi school of jurisprudence. An estimated 0.22\% -1 \% of the population are Ahmadi,The 1998 Pakistani census states that there are 291,000 (0.22\%) Ahmadis in Pakistan. However, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has boycotted the census since 1974 which renders official Pakistani figures to be inaccurate. Independent groups have estimated the Pakistani Ahmadiyya population to be somewhere between 2 million and 5 million Ahmadis. However, the 4 million figure is the most quoted figure and is approximately 2.2\% of the country. See: over 2 million: 3 million: International Federation for Human Rights: International Fact-Finding Mission. Freedoms of Expression, of Association and of Assembly in Pakistan. Ausgabe 408/2, Januar 2005, S. 61 (PDF ) 3–4 million: Commission on International Religious Freedom: Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. 2005, S. 130 4.910.000: James Minahan: Encyclopedia of the stateless nations. Ethnic and national groups around the world. Greenwood Press . Westport 2002, page 52 who were designated 'non-Muslims' by a 1974 constitutional amendment, although they consider themselves Muslims, due to pressure from Sunni extremist groups. Sufism, a  Islamic tradition, has a long history and a large popular following in Pakistan. Popular Sufi culture is centred on Thursday night gatherings at shrines and annual festivals which feature Sufi music and dance. Contemporary Islamic fundamentalists criticise its popular character, which in their view, does not accurately reflect the teachings and practice of the Prophet and his companions.
Religions and sects Shia and Sunni Estimates of the size of the two largest religious groups in Pakistan vary. According to Library of Congress, Pew Research Center, Oxford University, the CIA Factbook and other experts, adherents of Shia Islam in Pakistan make up between 15-20 \% of the country's total population, while the remaining 77 \% are Sunni. Pakistan, like India, is said to have at least 16 million Shias. Globally, Shia Islam constitutes 10 –20 \% of the total Muslims, while the remaining 80\%– 90\% practice Sunni Islam. Of the Sunni, the majority follow the Barelvi school, while 15-25\% follow the Deobandi school of jurisprudence. An estimated 0.22\% -2.2 \% of the population are Ahmadi,The 1998 Pakistani census states that there are 291,000 (0.22\%) Ahmadis in Pakistan. However, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has boycotted the census since 1974 which renders official Pakistani figures to be inaccurate. Independent groups have estimated the Pakistani Ahmadiyya population to be somewhere between 2 million and 5 million Ahmadis. However, the 4 million figure is the most quoted figure and is approximately 2.2\% of the country. See: over 2 million: 3 million: International Federation for Human Rights: International Fact-Finding Mission. Freedoms of Expression, of Association and of Assembly in Pakistan. Ausgabe 408/2, Januar 2005, S. 61 (PDF ) 3–4 million: Commission on International Religious Freedom: Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. 2005, S. 130 4.910.000: James Minahan: Encyclopedia of the stateless nations. Ethnic and national groups around the world. Greenwood Press . Westport 2002, page 52 who were designated 'non-Muslims' by a 1974 constitutional amendment, although they consider themselves Muslims, due to pressure from Sunni extremist groups. Sufism, a mystical Islamic tradition, has a long history and a large popular following in Pakistan. Popular Sufi culture is centred on Thursday night gatherings at shrines and annual festivals which feature Sufi music and dance. Contemporary Islamic fundamentalists criticise its popular character, which in their view, does not accurately reflect the teachings and practice of the Prophet and his companions.
R
around 10
between 15-20
D
Muslim
R
90
77
R
atleast 10
at least 16
R
Shias
Shia Islam
A
–20
R
overwhelming majority (
remaining 80\%–
D
)
R
minority
15-25\%
R
-1
-2.2
A
mystical