From: Daily Times, 21 November 2011
Sectarianism gradually seeping into all corners of country
By Afnan Khan
LAHORE: Pakistan is rapidly falling a prey to the demon of extremism with hardliner clerics campaigning for jihad against rival sects while accusing them of committing blasphemy and violating the sanctity of the followers of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) openly.
At one hand the government seems active to maintain inter-faith harmony ahead of the first and the most sensitive month of Muslim calendar, but on the other side sectarian clerics have tossed a campaign against smaller sects under the nose of the government.
The clerics are not only organising small gatherings in different seminars across the board, but they have also continued a banners and posters campaign on the outskirts of the city, especially on GT Road to stoke sectarian tension and seeking condemnation of their opponents by framing them of being critics of sahabah.
Members of the Shia community also told Daily Times that they were not sure that everything will remain calm during the upcoming month of Muharram because the community had already faced a number of well-coordinated terror attacks during 2011 and previous years.
They were of the view that the hardliners were becoming more organised day by day and they have now adopted strategies of not directly naming their opponent sects but they convince the innocent minds, mainly youths in seminaries, a number of false accusations against minorities as true and then finally label any of the sects of committing these crimes to unleash terror against them.
Pakistan correspondent of Christian Science Monitor (CSM) Issam Ahmed who has a long experience of writing on these issues told Daily Times that there were some alarming signs regarding increase in the level of extremism and sectarianism in the country.
He stated that the federal government has managed to reduce the number of suicide bombings and coordinated terrorist attacks against different people as compare to 2009 and 2010 but the level of sectarian violence was rising unchecked with members of Shia community being executed by the terrorists in Balochistan and members of other minority groups being persecuted and targeted repeatedly across the country.
He further noted that Lashkar Jhangvi was specifically stronger in Punjab province and their leaders such as Malik Ishaq were not only given government protection through different ways but they were also allowed to hold press conferences.
He also added that activities of these sectarian elements in Punjab province also indicated that there was some kind of understanding between Lashkar e Jhangvi and current administration of the province.
Issam Ahmed asserted that there must be different strategies to counter the phenomenon of extremism from Pakistan on long term and short-term basis. He asserted that the government would have to come tough on this issue and stop spread of such hatred immediately.
Capital City Police Officer) Ahmad Raza Tahir, according to a recent press statement, directed that no police official would leave his duty till the dispersal of last person from Moharam-ul-Haram’s processions and sittings.
He also promised strict implementation of Moharam Security Plan by remaining high alert, especially till the end of all religious congregations. Ahmad Raza Tahir affirmed that the Lahore Police, in coordination with the Ulemas, Public Representatives, all other related departments and agencies, would ensure comprehensive security for religious routes and places as well as harmony between different sects. He also directed strict enforcement of Loud Speaker Ordinance across the city.
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