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Pakistan had a disastrous year in 2011, with increasing attacks on civilians by militant
groups, skyrocketing food and fuel prices, and the assumption of near-total control of
foreign and security policy by a military that operated with complete impunity. Religious
minorities faced unprecedented insecurity and persecution. Freedom of belief and
expression came under severe threat as Islamist militant groups murdered Punjab
Governor Salmaan Taseer and Federal Minorities’ Minister Shahbaz Bhatti over their public
support for amending the country’s often abused blasphemy laws. Pakistan’s elected
government notably failed to provide protection to those threatened by extremists, or to
hold the extremists accountable.