Anti-Shia protesters march for second day in Karach

KARACHI: Serious questions are being raised over Pakistans intentions in taking rigid action against proscribed terror outfits operating in the country, after thousands of people rallied in Karachi, chanting anti-Shia slogans and calling them disbelievers.

The rally, led by Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), a terrorist organization, which has been involved in the killing of Shia minorities in Pakistan, staged a gathering of thousands, who marched on the main M.A Jinnah road in broad daylight.

Chanting slogans like "Shia areKafirs (disbelievers)", the rally members held banners of the SSP outfit, raising serious concerns over re-emergence of sectarian violence in the country.

While seeing a proscribed organization stage a huge rally in Pakistan's economic hub Karachi shocked the public. the open chanting of anti-Shia slogans without any fear of action by authorities, raised serious questions over the Imran Khan-led government's will and intent in rooting out terror outfits from its soil.

The protest rally was staged after a Shia leader allegedly gave disrespectful remarks against Islam in a television show during Ashura processions.

"When an anti-Shia rally can be openly taken out in Karachi, then it shows that sectarian violence will continue. This rally was taken out by a terror outfit, which is listed in Pakistan's official list of proscribed organizations.

"Yet, they were able to rally. This is worrying," said GulZehraRizvi, a Shia rights activist.

"Since the start of Muharram, we have been seeing numerous Shia believers targeted for reciting religious scriptures and partaking in Ashura commemorations.

"This demonstration should not be taken lightly when our brothers and sistes are bring kidnapped and killed for their beliefs," said Arfeen, another shia rights activist. Shia leaders have called for strict accountability of the Prime Minister for what they call supporting hate speech against Shia Muslims. (IANS)

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