Evolution of Sectarianism in Pakistan: A Threat to the State and Society

Abstract

AbstractContemporary Pakistan has been passing through worst phase of its history due to internal law and order and security issues. Terrorism and sectarianism had never struck state with such intensity in past as it has been since last two decades. Suicide attacks on worshippers in Mosques and Imambargahs as well as target killing of religious leaders of either sect, at various places in country has posed a serious threat to peace loving nation of Pakistan. The feelings of vulnerability have continuously been increasing day by day. This situation has put entire social structure of country at stake. Why Muslims are killing Muslims? Who are masterminds? And what is remedy to this menace? All such questions are yet to be answered. This paper will try to unveil elements involved in this bloody game of viciousness. The work will also through light on affects of sectarian ferocity on state and society of Pakistan.Key Words: Extremism, Militancy, Pakistan, Religion, Sectarianism, Terrorism, Violence.IntroductionIf various religious factions in a society antagonize each other with such stringency that each of them reflect its beliefs as a complete religion and do not prepared to reconcile with diverse view, would be a state of sectarianism. the term Sect is used in sociology of religion to designate a particular kind of religious group(International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, 1968: 130).Usually a sect is a body of people who bond in holding certain opinions divergent from those of others who are accounted to be of same religion. Normally this word is used for a separately organized religious group having its typical name and its own places of worship (The Oxford English Dictionary, 1961: 361).Pakistan has been under a serious threat of sectarian fierceness since time of its inception. The main contenders are Sunnis and Shias. The nature of hostility is not only inter-sects bet also intra sects. The most unfortunate facet of this encounter is that all sects involved in violence do have claim of serving religion. Killing of intellectuals, religious scholars, and innocent worshipers in Mosques and Imam Bargahs is service to religion in their judgments. A religion of peace and tolerance has been transformed into a religion of extremism and radicalism. These fanatics not only consider their adversaries as infidels but also are convinced not to give them right to alive. The vested of political bosses and foreign aid have further intensified situation. Each sect justifies itself on true path and is sure to go to paradise. They construe religion according to their own concern and consider others as non-believer even inferior to that. Sectarian differences have re-emerged now with atrocious intensity due to unchecked and uncontrolled religious intolerance promoted by semi-literate, little educated religious leaders supported by selfish political leaders with vested interests (Naek, 2001: 29).The sectarian situation become worsen when Haq Nawaz Jhangvi created Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan(SSP) in 1985 and demanded to pronounce Shias as non-Muslims and Pakistan as a Sunni State. He took part in politics and later on was murdered by his opponents. But his followers alleged Shia community, responsible for his assassination. Later on Lashkar-e-Jhangvi(LeJ) came on scene with Riaz Basra as its chief, and exterminated many Shias including intellectuals, scholars and worshipers. To respond such killing Shias from Thokar Niaz Beg, Lahore made Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan(SMP) and embattled Deobandis'(Rana, 2004: 415). Although both organizations are banned in Pakistan since many years but bloodshed and target killing of people of either sect are persist without any restraint.Generally terrorists do come from sectarian and Jihadi groups, but their masterminds are somewhere else. …