Sectarian violence in Pakistan

Pakistan , one of the largest Muslim countries the world, has seen serious Shia - Sunni sectarian violence . Almost 70% of Pakistan 's Muslim population is Sunni, and another 30% are Shia. However, this Shia minority forms the second largest Shia population of any country, larger than the Shia majority in Iraq. In the last two decades, as many as 4,000 people are estimated to have died in sectarian fighting in Pakistan, 300 in 2006.

The factional situation is complex; Sunni [Wahabis] have killed Shiite's in Pakistan and have colluded with government forces. Sectarian violence in Pakistan refers to attacks against people and places in Pakistan motivated by antagonism toward the target's sect, usually a religious group. Targets in Pakistan include the Sunni , Shia , and the small Ahmadi , Hindu and Christian religious groups. As many as 4,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Shia-Sunni sectarian fighting in Pakistan between 1987–2007. And since 2008 "thousands of Shia" have been killed by Sunni extremists according to the human rights group Human Rights Watch . One significant aspect of the attacks on Shi'a in Pakistan is that militants often target Shi’a worshipping places (Imambargah) during prayers in order to maximize fatalities and to "emphasize the religious dimensions of their attack". Human Rights Watch also states that in 2011 and 2012 Pakistan minority groups Hindus, Ahmadi, and Christians "faced unprecedented insecurity and persecution in the country". Attacks on Sufi shrines by Salafi have also been reported. Among those blamed for the sectarian violence in the country are mainly Sunni militant groups, such as the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi , Sipah-e-Sahaba , Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (affiliates of Al-Qaeda ), Jundallah (affiliates of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ) . Lashkar-e-Jhangvi "has claimed responsibility for most attacks" on Shia according to Human Rights Watch. Sunni militant groups are also blamed for attacks on fellow Sunnis, Barelvis and Sufis . These attacks sometimes result in tit-for-tat reprisal attacks by the victims. Library of Congress Country Studies on Pakistan . Religion: The overwhelming majority of the population (96.3 percent) is Muslim, of whom approximately percent are Sunni and 25 percent Shia. "Shiite-Sunni conflict rises in Pakistan," by David Montero, February 02, 2007 "Pakistan: Rampant Killings of Shia by Extremists" . "Pakistan's militant Islamic groups" . 13 January 2002. Sipah-e-Sahaba or the Army of Prophet Mohammad's companions is a radical group from the majority Sunni sect of Islam "Pakistan's militant Islamic groups" .

As many as 4,000 Shia (a Muslim minority group) are estimated to have been killed in sectarian attacks in Pakistan between 1987 and 2007, and thousands more Shia have been killed by Sunni extremists from 2008 to 2014, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). Sunni (the largest Muslim sect) Deobandis and Barelvis have also suffered from some sectarian violence, with attacks on religious shrines killing hundreds of (usually Bareelvi) worshippers (more orthodox Sunni believing shrine culture to be idolatrous), and some Deobandi leaders assassinated. Pakistan minority religious groups, including Hindus , Ahmadis , and Christians , have "faced unprecedented insecurity and persecution" in at least two recent years (2011 and 2012), according to Human Rights Watch . One significant aspect of the attacks in Pakistan is that militants often target their victims places of worship during prayers or religious services in order to maximize fatalities and to "emphasize the religious dimensions of their attack". Among those blamed for the sectarian violence in the country are mainly Deobandi militant groups, such as the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and also the Jundallah (an affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ). Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan "has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks" on Shia according to Human Rights Watch. In recent years the Barelvi group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (Labbaik) has been credited with instigating much violence. Salafi militant groups (such as Islamic State ) are also blamed for attacks on Shias, Barelvis and Sufis. As of 2022, violent sectarian groups continue to expand their influence across the country, with less violence from SSP and LeJ, but more from Labbaik and the Islamic State, and limited response from the state to counter their large-scale attacks. Sectarian Violence in Pakistan: 1989-2018 100 200 300 400 500 600 1990 2000 2010 incidents killed "Pakistan says has eliminated Uighur militants from territory" . "TLP no longer proscribed outfit after govt removes name from first schedule of anti-terrorism act" . New groups takes credit for Pakistan blast , United Press International , 2009-06-11 "ISIS Now Has a Network of Military Affiliates in 11 Countries Around the World" . "Thematic Chronology of Mass Violence in Pakistan, 1947–2007 – Sciences Po Violence de masse et Résistance – Réseau de recherche" . The Express Tribune . 18 May 2022 . Religion: The overwhelming majority of the population (96.3 percent) is Muslim, of whom approximately 95 percent are Sunni and 5 percent Shia. "Pakistan's militant Islamic groups" . 13 January 2002. Sipah-e-Muhammad or the Army of Prophet Mohammad is a radical group from the minority Shia sect of "Pakistan's militant Islamic groups" . There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ).

As many as 4,000 Shia (a Muslim minority group) are estimated to have been killed in sectarian attacks in Pakistan between 1987 and 2007, and thousands more Shia have been killed by Salafi extremists from 2008 to 2014, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). Sunni (the largest Muslim sect) Sufis and Barelvis have also suffered from some sectarian violence, with attacks on religious shrines killing hundreds of (usually Bareelvi) worshippers (more orthodox Sunni believing shrine culture to be idolatrous), and some Deobandi leaders assassinated. Pakistan minority religious groups, including Hindus , Ahmadis , and Christians , have "faced unprecedented insecurity and persecution" in at least two recent years (2011 and 2012), according to Human Rights Watch . One significant aspect of the attacks in Pakistan is that militants often target their victims places of worship during prayers or religious services in order to maximize fatalities and to "emphasize the religious dimensions of their attack". Among those blamed for the sectarian violence in the country are mainly Deobandi militant groups, such as the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and also the Jundallah (an affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ). Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan "has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks" on Shia according to Human Rights Watch. In recent years the Barelvi group Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (Labbaik) has been credited with instigating much violence. Salafi militant groups (such as Islamic State ) are also blamed for attacks on Shias, Barelvis and Sufis. As of 2022, violent sectarian groups continue to expand their influence across the country, with less violence from SSP and LeJ, but more from Labbaik and the Islamic State, and limited response from the state to counter their large-scale attacks. In Mianwali Under Attack By Tehreek-e-Jihad; Loud Explosions And Smoke..." 4 November 2023. "TLP worker pulls down Maharaja Ranjit Singh's statue in Pakistan" . 17 August 2021. "TLP no longer proscribed outfit after govt removes name from first schedule of anti-terrorism act" . New groups takes credit for Pakistan blast , United Press International , 2009-06-11 "Pakistan Adds 2 More Militant Groups To Its 'Terror' List" . Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty . 11 August 2024 . Pakistan's Shia mercenaries return from Syria, posing a security threat . Pakistan's Shia mercenaries return from Syria, posing a security threat . "Thematic Chronology of Mass Violence in Pakistan, 1947–2007 – Sciences Po Violence de masse et Résistance – Réseau de recherche" . The Express Tribune . 18 May 2022 . "Al-Qaeda map: Isis, Boko Haram and other affiliates' strongholds across Africa and Asia" . 12 June 2014. Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs . The war in Pakistan, which began as Al Qaeda and the Taliban fled from Afghanistan into the northwest region of Pakistan in 2001, has caused almost 62,000 deaths and an additional 67,000 injuries. Religion: The overwhelming majority of the population (96.3 percent) is Muslim, of whom approximately 95 percent are Sunni and 5 percent Shia. "Pakistan's militant Islamic groups" . 13 January 2002. Sipah-e-Muhammad or the Army of Prophet Mohammad is a radical group from the minority Shia sect of "Pakistan's militant Islamic groups" . There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a template (see the help page ).