Pakistan: Demanding justice: Shia leaders cite govt’s failure over attacks

The Express Tribune

Expressing frustration and anger over relentless incidents of sectarian attacks, Shias have demanded the government and security agencies carry out a crackdown against the perpetrators to ensure protection of lives and property of the masses. Speaking at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen leader Jawad Hadi said the government and security agencies have failed to take action against terrorist organisations which are allegedly involved in the massacre of innocent people in Peshawar and other parts of the province.

The Shia community, he said, has been under constant attack over the past few days in the provincial capital. “The recent suicide attack on Anjuman-e-Momineen Pak Hotel was a cowardly act, in which innocent people, including women and children belonging to the Shia sect, were killed,” said Hadi while referring to Tuesday’s suicide blast outside a hotel in Qissa Khwani. At least nine people were killed while over 60 others were injured.

Shia Ulema and leaders Khurshid Anwar Jawadi, Asghar Rahjani, Abid Ali Shakari, Arif Hussain Hassaini, Pak-Hotel President Askar Ali, Imamia Student Organisation Peshawar Senior Vice President Bilal and members of the Shia community were present at the conference. Hadi claimed terrorist groups were also reportedly involved in killing two Shia leaders Allama Musvi and Sardar Ali Asghar a few days back. He said terrorists have not spared mosques, imambargahs, bazaars and residential areas as people have been targeted everywhere. “We demand appropriate steps for security and protection of lives and property of everyone,” he said, warning they will not tolerate any more bloodshed of innocent lives. “The government and security agencies need to take stern and sustainable action against terrorists to prevent the massacre of innocents,” he demanded.

Hadi said such incidents are done to create rifts among different sects but the nefarious mission will not bear fruit. “These terrorist groups are posing a serious security threat to the solidarity of the country and need to be eliminated.”

He also urged the judiciary to pass orders against these organisations by following the constitution and law. Earlier, Shia leaders along with activists of Imamia Students Organization protested on Sher Shah Suri Road against Tuesday’s suicide blast. The protesters held placards and shouted slogans demanding the government arrest those behind the attack. They also asked for a special Shuhada package for families of the deceased and injured, and compensation for the damaged infrastructure of the building.