ISLAMABAD – Diplomatic sources say the peddling of argument by Indianpoliticians and commentators regarding shrinking of Pakistan’s non-Muslimpopulation from 23 percent in 1947 to 3.72 percent presently is baseless,malicious and based on inaccurate facts.

According to sources, if these figures are examined closely it can be seenthat according to the first census held in Pakistan in 1951, the non-Muslimpopulation of West Pakistan was 3.44%, whilst the East Pakistan had 23.2%non-Muslims.

Therefore, the overall population of non-Muslims cumulatively, was 14.2%.

However, after the separation of East Pakistan, census was conducted inPakistan and non-Muslims comprised 3.25% of the total population.

This apparent reduction in proportion was because of the separation of EastPakistan and formation of Bangladesh.