Pakistan: Anti-Shia protests rock Karachi, sectarian violence feared

After the massive protests, the hashtag #ShiaGenocide began trending on Pakistani social media, DNA India reported

Sea of protesters were seen chanting "Shias are Kaffir" (disbelievers) and holding banners of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, a terrorist organisation, linked to the killing of Shias over the years, reports the newspaper.

This comes after some major Shia leaders in the country allegedly made disparaging remarks against Islam in a televised broadcast of an Ashura procession last month, read the news report.

Video of the march shared on social media platforms showed participants waving  pro-Sunni flags and chanting Sunni-power slogans.

Activist Afreen claimed that several Shia Muslims have been attacked for reciting religious scriptures and partaking in Ashura commemorations since the beginning of Muharram.

Afreen tweeted: "Since the start of Muharram, we have seen numerous Shia believers targeted for reciting religious scriptures and partaking in Ashura commemorations. This demonstration should not be taken lightly when our brothers and sisters are being kidnapped and killed for their beliefs."

The activist said Prime Minister Imran Khan should be held accountable for the incidents.

"I’ve been told that one demand was to proscribe Ashura processions in Pakistan. It should be made clear that Pakistan’s Government has allowed known terrorists to spread their anti-Shia rhetoric far and wide.@ImranKhanPTI  should be held accountable," Afreen said.

Writer Tarek Fatah reacted to the incident and posted: "Huge protest against Shia Muslims in Pakistan. This isn’t the city where I was born; its Hell on earth for ppl seeking Paradise after death. They want to kill ‘kaafirs’ who now include Shias along with Hindus, Christians, & racial minority Baloch & Sindhi."

Nobel prize winner Malala Yousuzai's father Ziauddin Yousafzai remarked: "Huge rally for a horrible motive of sectarian hate. I wish this could be an Anti-Rapists protest on #MotowayIncident."

One Twitter user Zeinab said, "praying for all the shias in pakistan:(."

Another user Shanzola said: "Shame on them. I'm a Sunni and I have Shia friends more than I have a Sunni ones and I love them with all my heart. This is so not how a Muslim treats another Muslim."