In addition, some Pakistanis also do not profess any faith (such as atheists and agnostics) in Pakistan. According to the 1998 census, people who did not state their religion accounted for 0.5% of the population. Secularism and criticism of over-religiosity is not uncommon in well-educated civil society, although in general Pakistan is a highly religious society, and the irreligious generally hide their beliefs due to fear of persecution.