Many social evils are prevailing in Pakistan such as murder of journalists, street crime, sectarian killing
TURBAT: Undoubtedly, many social evils are prevailing in Pakistan such as the murder of journalists, street crime and sectarian killing. But among them, sectarian violence has been very common kind of violence throughout history. According to reports published in 2011 and 2012 by Human Rights Watch, “Pakistan is one of the countries where minority groups Shias, Ahmadis, and Christians are being killing by the Sunni militant groups”.
Additionally, the Zikris is a religious group present in Balochistan who claim to be an offshoot of the Islamic tradition. Their places of worship are in several areas of Balochistan and the most important religious site is also in the province.
History shows that hundreds of Zikri were killed by a Baloch named Shah Murad owing to being ‘non-Muslim’ in 1978 while Ziaul Haq was ruling the country. Nowadays the same story is being repeated in Balochistan and the same kind of horrors are being perpetrated on the Zikri community at the hands of extremists groups.
Attacks on the Zikris are adding to the overall unrest in Balochistan. In the last days of Ramazan, a bus was attacked in Khuzdar and on August 28, a holy worship place of the Zikri community was attacked in which seven people were killed and approximately nine injured. Moreover, on the same day, three people were abducted and three cars were fired on a road in Jamak near Turbat.
The authorities concerned should take effective steps against this menace before more Baloch — and Zikri — lives are lost.
Nadil Shah
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2014.
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