Violence is currently being witnessed between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Pakistan. Particularly in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, groups from both communities have launched fierce attacks on each other. Communal clashes are constantly taking place in many districts, in which bullets are being fired continuously.
Recent violent clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan have forced more than 300 families to leave their homes. At least 150 people have been killed in violence between the two communities, including 32 deaths on Saturday alone. Of the 32 people killed on Saturday, 14 were Sunnis and 18 were Shias. The incidents of violence not only reflect the failure of governments but also point to the years-old tension in the region, which has resurfaced.
People were killed in an attack
The Shia-Sunni conflict in Pakistan is not new, but the recent violence is due to the incident of November 21. On November 21, 43 people were killed in a targeted attack on a large Shia convoy in the Kurram area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attackers, who were lying in ambush, surrounded the convoy from all sides and opened fire. This attack took place in the Mandori Charkhel area, where there is already communal tension. After this, attacks were also carried out by the Shias targeting the Sunnis.
This area is adjacent to the Afghan border
Pakistan's KP province is adjacent to the border of Afghanistan. This area has been struggling with terrorism, tribal conflicts and communal tension. Especially the Kurram district is very sensitive due to its proximity to Afghanistan and the presence of terrorist groups. Kurram is a tribal area, which is known for its complex socio-political structure. Both Shias and Sunnis have a good population here.
The Shia-Sunni conflict in Pakistan is not new, but the recent violence is due to the incident of November 21. On November 21, 43 people were killed in a targeted attack on a large Shia convoy in the Kurram area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The attackers, who were lying in ambush, surrounded the convoy from all sides and opened fire. This attack took place in the Mandori Charkhel area, where there is already communal tension. After this, attacks were also carried out by the Shias targeting the Sunnis.
Government policies are also responsible
Local people say that the conflict in Kurram is the result of the policies implemented during the era of General Zia-ul-Haq. He promoted hatred in the name of religion. As a result, the Shia-Sunni conflict has increased a lot here in the last two-three decades. In the past years, many agreements were also made between Shia and Sunni groups, but the government has continuously failed to implement the agreements. In such a situation, this area is completely a victim of anarchy.
People also consider the nexus between the government, terrorist groups and local players to be a major reason for violence in this region. Many groups are active here due to illegal arms, drugs and other trades between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Violence often takes place among these groups, which sometimes takes a communal colour. Illegal smugglers of drugs and weapons also fuel these disputes to maintain their hold.
The violence in KP has exposed the weakness of the Pakistan government. The Pakistan government does not seem to have any strategy to deal with the situation. The Pakistan government condemns the attacks and shrugs off the responsibility. No effort is made to find out the reasons why the TTP and other terrorist groups have re-emerged and violence is increasing.