Screengrab of protests in Gujranwala.
In one of the incidents the Imam of the Imam bargha in Shahrukh Colony was killed while he was in the middle of recitation.
Two worshippers were killed in a separate firing incident the same morning at an Imam bargha in the Mominpur area.
Unidentified men entered the Imam Barghas on motorcycles and started firing, resulting in the casualties.
Enraged relatives of the victims protested by placing the dead bodies on the street near Ali Chowk.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the attacks in an official statement released on Saturday.
These incidents occurred on the fourth of Muharram, a few days after the Punjab government had imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Penal Code (CrPC) for one month, starting from the first of Muharram.
Security Measures
The Punjab government on November 5 had imposed Section 144 CrPC.
According to the home department, the home secretary had imposed section 144 CrPC to maintain law and order during Muharram throughout the province.
The government banned brandishing of firearms, distribution of hate material, wall chalking and propagated speeches during the month of Muharram.
Any violator of the restriction will be booked under relevant laws.
The law enforcing agencies were also directed to observe strict imposition of Section 144.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, while chairing a high level meeting on November 5, had directed authorities to take all necessary measures for ensuring religious harmony during Muharram.
COMMENTS (58)
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Muslims killing Muslims is no big news for Pakistanis but Muslim not eligible for ranting one flat in India is.. Irony No?
@Xnain: dear brother keep on living in this hatred & not accept the facts that Iran is the only country in the ENTIRE MUSLIM WORLD who does not bow down in front of USA/ISRAEL/SAUDIA. The only country when received american drones they were brought down UNLIKE Pakistan where everyday innocents are being killed. We can keep on carrying with how good Iran is & how Pathetic Pakistan is but it would be awesome if we learn some Islamic beliefs from Iran & stand united against the tyrants of this World.
our enemies is not the jews or the christians but OUR own ignorance. Imam Ali
@anonymous:
OK
SPARKS !
But >>>>> "you are welcome " !!!!
@Ariba: In Iran, UNLIKE Pakistan, the minorities are not threatened and exploited by freelancer groups but the Iranian Mullah regime in an institutionalized manner. The regime controls the media, state and government. And Iranian news sources (like IRNA etc) are complete jokes.
@Zeeshan Khan: As prejudiced as Babar came out with his anti-Shia views, he is still closer to a reality rather than this unseen enemy delusion.
As great as your idealism is, the problem is infront of u and denying deteriorating relations cant mask the fact that there's growing hate and violence from local Wahhabi/Salafi/Deoband/Sunni extremists who are intolerant of the minority Shia based on real or imagined differences and nonsense. and many share such radicalized and bigoted ideological mindsets among the mainstream majority.
@Adam:
Sectarian cleansing has been ongoing for decades, srarting wirh state sponsored massacre in GB back in the 80s. Sectarian Discrimination via state institutions has always been there and worse now. I appreciate how u recognize extremist groups and do believe are genuine in wanting peace but while I wouldnt use the word genocide myself, I wouldnt be splitting hairs on such ongoing bloodshed. I also find it hypocritical or disingenuous how u downplay such a crisis and then try to falsely claim its worse in Iran, repeating the same false and uncomparable prejudiced bigoted narrative (which no independent observer calls a genocide either in Iran, and would find Saudi abuse worse...though oppression not a genocide) as such Wahhabi/Salafi/Deoband/Sunni extremist groups which are branched out from the Sunni majority who still, like ur comment suggests, seem to not accept or admit how worse it is for the Shia minority, or any other non-Sunni minority.
Dear Shia Elites and Imams, Would it be a good suggestion to organise such processions in big grounds surrounded by walls, so no human life belonging to any sect would be lost ? I never witnessed my Rich Shia friends including from Maratab Ali Shah family to taking part in the street processions themselves though the Zuljanah came out of their own haveli. Its the poor working class members of community who suffers due to mayhem in such processions.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=420671648002443&set=a.420671601335781.95743.136896769713267&type=1&theater
Imran khan hopes to be the khaleefa Little he knows that he will be the first to be killed if taliban ever return to power
@Xnain: Dear brother plz think before posting such things.
Lol British news on Iran.
That's like reading Jerusalem Post for Palestinian issues. lol can you be that naive?
In Iran which is UNLIKE Pakistan in a lost of things like Sunni minorities are not being butchered by looking at their ID's. Plz stop comparing. There is no comparison. First Pakistan's leadership & Pakistanis should become Practicing Muslims then come talk about Iran.
Iran's law is quite simple: in Sunni majority areas, Shias must pray behind a Sunni imam. In Shia majority areas, Sunnis must pray behind Shias. Why do you think they were talking about tehran only?
Legally, and per Imam Khomeini's ruling, there is no such thing as "Shia mosque" and "Sunni mosque." Legally Shias can pray behind Sunnis & Sunnis can do the same. Its against unity of Muslims to make different types of Mosques. In Pakistan we are good at it.
When extremists in Iran or Iran's leadership start blowing Sunni mosques, kill sunnis because of there names like Umar/farooqi & Usman/Usmani, came with fatwas that all Sunnis are kafirs then compare Iran with Pakistan. for now RIP Pakistan.
@Babar:
There is no misinformation on Imam Hussein (AS) killers. it is historical fact, one would have to be extremely twisted and intolerant to deny it. you are right about the hate and that is where the ideological crisis lies with Wahhabi/Salafi/Deoband/Sunni extremism.
@Ariba: And the source is Shia news?.....Seriously, you need to get a life. Here's a glimpse of what happens to the west of Pakistan in a "brotherly" country. link text
link text
@farhan:
Google posts ADs based on user browsing history. Looks like you have been seeing lots of porn ..hence such ADs in your window. Don't blame ET for that !
It is the side effects of strategic depth and American led Afghan Jihad.
We have to be truthful.
If Jinnah knew it would come to this, and if he knew his coreligionists (he was a Shia himself) would become halal meat in his Pakistan, he would have never created this country.
If only he knew.
I am proud to be a Kafir born and raised in Amritsar India. May WaheGuru bless the land and people, where Guru Nanak Dev Ji was born and gave the message of peace all over the world including Mecca.
dear shias, do ur stuff at home. we got enough mess on our roads.
en.shiapost.com/2013/11/08/cable-operatos-shutdown-shia-islamic-transmission-in-several-areas/
en.shiapost.com/2013/11/08/cm-shahbaz-bans-shia-scholar-syed-jawad-naqvi/
Our scholars are being banned. Our Majalis are being banned to be broadcasted. Thank you PM Sharif. Still ppl gave votes to them.
@saeed: Four years ago, I was all for Imran Khan and admired him. I was greatly influenced after listening to Hassan Nisar. Then when listened to Imran Khan more and more, I started to realize that he is the worst news to date for Pakistan. Hasan Nisar does not talk of Imran Khan any longer. Even Haroon Rashid has left him. Imran Khan now has the company of only Sheikh Rasheed who has called Mulla Omar "Amir-Ul-Moumineen) and requested him to grant permission for Imran Khan to visit Waziristan. Gen. Pasha (retired DGISI) popped up Imran Khan. He did a great mistake. Imran Khan is a curse not just on Pakistan but also other countries in the region. Had he not come to prominence and power, Pakistan may have by now been able to control the terrorists to a good extent. Leaders like Imran Khan, Moulana Fazlur Rehman, Munawar Hasan, and the likes have been the spoilers. I believe that this time around Nawaz Sherif was willing to take on the talibans and terrorists though Shabaz Sherif was supporting the talibans, but it is leaders like Imran Khan who with their open support for talibans and terrorists have made him ineffective. Now, many leaders of PML-N are also terrified and are talking to appease the talibans which only makes them bolder. The attacks and killing of shias and christians in Pakistan is no longer an internal matter of Pakistan as it affects the neighboring countries also. The world community will not sit back and keep listening to the likes of Imran Khan blaming drones that directly embolden and support talibans. Imran Khan is a curse on Pakistan. He is a bad news for Pakistan and also for the countries in the region.
By contrast, I see Zaid Hamid talking more sense recently if you ignore his anti-india and anti-USA rattlings, but so-called intellects like Oria Maqbool Jan and Ansar Abbasi taking total non-sense.
@Nas: Dear what you have said is valid for civalised people. For Pakistan the slogan Goes as follows: Danda (Stick) for all mercy for none.
@ As you say that both Sunni and Muslims hate each other In Gugranwala reflects the most unfortunate trend of our society. But it also a historical fact that the foundation stone of this negative trend was laid by the popular Shia Prime Minister in 1970s. And his hand picked Army Chief made it part and parcel of our daily life,
@Babar: I simply reject what you have said in your comment. Shai and Sunnis are like brothers. We LOVE each other. You should note that there are few weak minded people among sunnis and shias who are just like toys in the hands of our enemies; it is these people who should be hanged in the first place. We pakistanis are aware of our enemies who are always trying to creat sectarian situation in Pakistan BUT you MUST have noticed that SUNNIS AND SHIAS have condemned all kinds of killings. I hate people who beleive that Sunnis and Shias are against each other. You are an example who is serving the agenda of our enemies.
@ Kafir - “There are like 80 comments from Pakistanis salivating on a news item about one Indian advertising no Muslims need to apply for a flat. Aren’t you guys clutching at the straws here?” @ AD – “Pakistanis are more focused in a discriminatory real estate advertisement in India than this genocide happening in Pakistan.”
To quote the Christian Bible, “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”
@ Nas : “Love for all hatred for none is the only way to save Pakistan”.
Noble sentiment though I doubt it will be palatable to some in Pakistan as the statement “Love for all hatred for none”, at least here in India, is used almost exclusively by the Ahmadiyya / Ahmadi sect. As you are no doubt aware, the Ahmadiyya / Ahmadi sect is persecuted in Pakistan including by way of legislation specifically targeting them.
@ Nas : “Love for all hatred for none is the only way to save Pakistan”.
Noble sentiment though I doubt it will be palatable to some in Pakistan as the statement “Love for all hatred for none”, at least here in India, is used almost exclusively by the Ahmadiyya / Ahmadi sect. As you are no doubt aware, the Ahmadiyya / Ahmadi sect is persecuted in Pakistan including by way of legislation specifically targeting them.
@syed baqar ahsan: Yes Punjab and rest of Punjab
Punjab govt is failed so as Federal. Lets bash them same like KPK on bomb blasts.
all Pakistanis are good at is going hammer and tongs after India for even a small incident. When it comes to themselves, they cry conspiracy as if the whole world has nothing better to do than waste time planning moves aimed at destabilizing Pakistan, which incidentally is being done by the Pakistanis themselves.
ALL PAKISTANIS PLEASE RE JOIN YOUR MOTHER COUNTRY , INDIA Formation of pakistan has been trouble for all muslims, in india bangladesh pakistan and its virtually independent territories Pakistani muslims have given bad name to islam Its mullahs are out f controle .leaders are corrupt courts are dysfunctional and so goes the list of failures
Love for all hatred for none is the only way to save pakistan
Azadar must protect themselves and do not depend on the Shahbaz and Nawaz run government. These two are the product of Zia regime which was the first enemy of shia and also the one who sparked hatred b/w these b/w sect.
Welcome to Pakistan, Ireland (Catholic and Protestant) of South Asia
Two nations theory: Sunnis who hate Shia, Ahmadi, Hindu, Christians and the other nation where Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, Sikh, Hindu, Christian, live side by side peacefully. The other nation is a nation not Jannat.
strategic assets in action,they talk about blocking nato supply,i wonder which supply they will block if such attacks continues or intensifies?hello imran mehsood taliban khan....
@AD: When you say genocide, it's when a government or authority are doing it and a mass of the population are involved. This genocide does not happen everyday, not everyone is going around killing Shias unlike the Anti-Sikh riots and is being condemned by every person (believe it or not PTI did condemn Shia killings on Twitter) and the government is doing its best to stop it, look at how much security there is but I believe they are not doing enough. Please know the meaning of genocide!!! But no doubt Shias are being targeted & killed in pakistan, but the question is who is NOT being killed in pakistan? The only Muslim safe is a Wahhabi/Salafi/Deoband, and majority of us do not come under this in Pakistan. A genocide is like what's happening in Iran, the Sunnis have been killed and the ones who haven't are not safe and have left in order for it to be a pure Shia state (this is Iran's history), and a genocide is one in Armenia where the Armenians were killed in millions just like the Jews in Germany under the Nazis. Whilst some forces in pakistan do not like Shias they are just as much as part of Pak than anyone else and this is coming from a Sunni who is sick and tired of these sectarian killings and just wants a peaceful pakistan. The express tribune better post this because my comments as per usual always seem to never appear.
@AD : “Pakistanis are more focused in a discriminatory real estate advertisement in India than this genocide happening in Pakistan.”
So true, though the disinterest in the Shia killings is perplexing given the oft repeated statement that no Muslim can kill another Muslim making instances like this in Pakistani minds a RAW/Mossad/CIA perpetrated by India / Israel / USA to malign Islam and Pakistan which is topic of otherwise great interest in Pakistan.
@AD : “Pakistanis are more focused in a discriminatory real estate advertisement in India than this genocide happening in Pakistan.”
So true, though the disinterest in the Shia killings is perplexing given the oft repeated statement that no Muslim can kill another Muslim making instances like this in Pakistani minds a RAW/Mossad/CIA perpetrated by India / Israel / USA to malign Islam and Pakistan which is topic of otherwise great interest in Pakistan.
And can this website take note of the fact that advertisement box (presumably outsourced) available on the right side of the screen is showing objectionable advertisements including porn as well as advertisement to support israel, please note.
It was bound to happen anyways when you have a provincial minister having close relations with a banned terrorist organisation who admits to give monthly stipends to leader of Lashkar Jhangvi. And then we have people who would further confuse the nation by declaring animals as 'martyrs'. May God help this country.
Let us see if the thugs who were bereft at the death of a dog, express any sorrow on the loss of human life.
Empower the police. It cant eliminate terrorism but can substantially reduce it.
There are like 80 comments from Pakistanis salivating on a news item about one Indian advertising no Muslims need to apply for a flat. Aren't you guys clutching at the straws here? You don't even permit people to worship in their own choice and bomb people just for their faith! Very strange.
why no operation against terrorist and Punjabi talibans in Punjab ....
Gang is same who killed army soldier and injured colonel other day in Gujarat,this new up raising of attack in Punjab has specific purpose.It will increase if ban on death sentences not lifted.
Re-applying Jinnah's '2-Nation (community) Theory' in current Pakistan can only save the minority communities of Pakistan
The Shia genocide continues. Unabated. And no heinous, corrupt, politician will speak up.
what happened to khadim e ala requesting all of those guys 'to leave Punjab alone'
Maulana Fazlur has said "Anyone killed by the US, even a dog, is a martyr". My question to him is Imams of the Imam bargha killed by Talaban are martyers or not ? My questions to Syed Munawar Hassan is if the killer of thousands of innocents Muslims Hakimullah Mehsud , ooops I beg your pardon Hazrat Hakimullah Mehsud Shaheed is a martyr then if the killer of the above Imams of the Imam bargha is killed then would he also a martyr. And finally my question to our great leader Imran Khan Niazi is , If he is, Why isn't he as upset over the killing of Imams of the Imam bargha as he is to the killing of the terrorists in a drone attack. All the above politicians think of their own benefits . They do politics on innocents civilians blood. Please why people of Pakistan pray they should start their pray with
"I seek protection from God against Imran Khan" "In the name of God,the Most Gracious,the Most Merciful"
Mr.Nawaz Sharif and his brother must realise that you can't have sectarian peace and favour the Saudi Wahhabi / Salafi at the same time. A time has come for the government to start shutting down militant madrassas and monitor the pulpits from where hate is spread. Doing nothing but mouthing words like ' increased security ' simply shows the governments disinterest.
Coward Paki government is either acting on behalf of these animals of ASWJ/Taliban or they want this carnage and Shia genocide to continue. Otherwise any genuine government would have acted by now to cleanse these creeps of ASWJ outta Pakistan.
Why doesn't this Paki media clearly state that Sipah Sahaba is a terrorist organisation working against the interests of Islam and Pakistan? Footages of yesterday's attacks are available on the internet which clearly identify SSP (ASWJ) miscreant attacking the Masjid and killing Muslims. These animals of SSP (ASWJ) who possess no faith should be wiped off from this Islamic country.
But still government of Panjab will do nothing. It's just the start, they will kill more people in the following days. Protect yourselves people of Pakistan!
I am a PTI supporter...and I will not stupidity and idiotically criticize Punjab government for any terrorist attack just for the sake of political differences...as our opponents do with any such news coming from KPK..even though I am worried that this all started in Punjab after a very long time...may be the secret pact has been broken..who knows...
It continues to remain baffling to me both as a Non-Pakistani and Non-Muslim that Pakistan, a country claimed to have been founded to provide a safe haven for the Muslims of the Indian Sub-Continent, sees such frequent incidents of violence pitting Muslim against Muslim. Having an incident targeting adherents of the (original?) sect of the founder of Pakistan, Mr. M.A.Jinnah trashes any notion of the safe haven concept. How can this be so? Why not just live and let live?
Was wondering why Gujranwala didn't ever come in news, it's the place where Shia Sunnis hate each other and Muharram makes Sunnis hate Shias more because misinformation of who killed Hazrat Hussein (RA).
Tittle misspelled, fix it. Your welcome