Pakistani atheists – a broad term encompassing agnostics, the irreligious, deists, and humanists alike – have been lazily painted by the Islamists as “liberals and seculars,” despite the fact that many believing and practicing Muslims identify as such as well. Muslims openly identifying as atheist in Pakistan would be an open invitation to violence, (…………………………………………………………………..), coupled with the National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) refusal to let citizens officially change Islam as their religion. Hence, the aforementioned “secular liberal” label also provides refuge to the atheists.

Which of the following options best fits the blank in the above passage?

Question

Pakistani atheists – a broad term encompassing agnostics, the irreligious, deists, and humanists alike – have been lazily painted by the Islamists as “liberals and seculars,” despite the fact that many believing and practicing Muslims identify as such as well. Muslims openly identifying as atheist in Pakistan would be an open invitation to violence, (…………………………………………………………………..), coupled with the National Database and Registration Authority’s (NADRA) refusal to let citizens officially change Islam as their religion. Hence, the aforementioned “secular liberal” label also provides refuge to the atheists.

Which of the following options best fits the blank in the above passage?

Accepted Answer

**Solution:**

1. The passage discusses the sensitive issue of atheism in Pakistan and the risks faced by those openly identifying as atheists.

2. The blank requires a phrase that logically connects the threat of violence with the legal and social restrictions faced by atheists.

3. Option (a) "Considering the state’s blasphemy laws are interpreted to outlaw apostasy" fits perfectly as it explains why atheists face violence and legal challenges.

4. Other options do not align with the context or the flow of the passage:
   - (b) talks about action against jihadist groups, which is unrelated.
   - (c) refers to a state-backed operation, irrelevant here.
   - (d) is a phrase that does not complete the sentence meaningfully.
   - (e) is incomplete and does not fit grammatically.

**Answer:** (a) Considering the state’s blasphemy laws are interpreted to outlaw apostasy

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