Anti-Shiite protest rattles Karachi

Author: Noor ul Ain Ali

Radical extremist groups Sipah Sahaba and Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan took to roads chanting slogans against the Shia community in Karachi yesterday, which turned into a huge rally.

The rally followed a raft of blasphemy accusations against major Shiite leaders in Pakistan after a televised broadcast of an Ashura procession last month showed clerics and participants allegedly making disparaging remarks about historic Islamic figures.

During the rally, the participant chanted hate slogans, such as ‘Shia kafir’ against the members of the Shia community and demanded a ban on Muharram processions.

Sources revealed that an imam bargah in the Imamia Lines Area was also allegedly attacked by the members of the radical Sunni parties.

Since the start of Muharram, there has been an increase in hate campaigns against Shia groups and subsequent blasphemy allegations for reciting Ziyarat-e-Ashura — a prayer that denounces the killers of Imam Hussain.

Sectarian violence has erupted in fits and bursts for decades in Pakistan, with homegrown anti-Shia militant groups bombing shrines and targeting Ashura processions.
Thousands were killed in the previous decade sparking a fierce crackdown by security forces in 2015 which resulted in a dramatic drop in sectarian violence.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Top Stories

COAS visits Warminster, Larkhill Garrisons

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir NI (M), had a field visit…

21 mins ago
  • Top Stories

ICC acknowledges error after Pakistan’s name missing from Champions Trophy logo during live broadcast

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has admitted to an error after Pakistan’s name was absent…

24 mins ago
  • Uncategorized

IMF: Pakistan’s debt burden worsened by revenue shortfalls

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Chief in Pakistan Mahir Binici has linked Pakistan's existing economic challenges…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

Civil society calls for strict implementation of Punjab Domestic Workers Act, 2019 & Other Labor Laws

LAHORE: “The child domestic work is rampant across the country as every fourth household in…

1 hour ago
  • Pakistan

French Embassy Hosts Dinner in Honor of PIA CEO and His Team

  In a significant milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector and its global connectivity, Pakistan International…

2 hours ago
  • Pakistan

IHC judges move SC against acting CJ Dogar amid seniority dispute

Five judges of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) have filed a petition in the Supreme…

2 hours ago