Killing of Shia in Pakistan and State Responsibility

                                  

Looking at the news of another devastating attack in a Shia-dominated area of Abbas Town in Karachi, that killed 48 innocent people and left 160 injured, one can’t deny that the political environment for religious minorities in Pakistan is becoming more difficult with every passing day. More than 200 members of the Shia community have been killed since January 2013, with the predicted death toll for 2013 seeming likely to be several times that of. The perpetrators are targeting mosques, residential districts and any gathering of the Shia community in order to carry out their campaign of terror. 

Yesterday’s attack, though, is unique in its nature because it took place in Karachi – the most populated and diverse city of Pakistan. Karachi is the commercial hub of Pakistan, and is  home to approximately 21 million Pakistanis belonging to various faith groups and ethnic backgrounds. Worse, unrest in Karachi means chaos throughout Pakistan, because what happens there affects the entire country in one way or another.  This recent sort of attack by terrorists - in a populated residential area, destroying homes, cafes and banks - poses an extreme threat to ordinary Pakistanis, particularly if they belong to minority faith groups, which have been particularly targeted. The attack also raises a number of questions that the elected government of Pakistan needs to answer, since it is their responsibility to protect all of their citizens. Some of those questions that come to mind include:

-          What concrete steps has the government taken so far to ensure security for its citizens, especially religious minorities? Has it taken into account the direct threats from militant organizations like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) that they would continue their atrocities against the Shia community?

-          Why do banned militia groups, including LeJ and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), still operate freely in the Pakistan?

-          Are CCTV cameras operating in the specific minority residential areas and worship places, to facilitate the investigative process of the terrorist attacks?

-          In case of an emergency, is there a robust mechanism to help the victims and to save the precious human lives, regardless of religious affiliation?

The deadly attack yesterday was made possible, in large part, because of the complete failure of security in the area, and highlights problems with counter-terrorism operations across Pakistan. Eyewitnesses to the incident claimed that huge amounts of explosive material were brought into the area, and that the complete absence of law enforcement presence made it significantly easier for the terrorists to accomplish their task. Another element that increased the public criticism government was that a large number of security officials were providing security to government officials and politicians at the engagement ceremony of a famous politician of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the same city, diverting attention away from communities like Abbas Town. Following are some of the comments that manifest the anger and frustration of the Pakistani public after the Abbas Town’s blast:

Imaan Sheikh ‏@SheikhImaan Firing in #AbbasTown again. It is undeniable now that this is happening without the authorities' help. Sidra Mansoor ‏@sidra_mansoor If it happend in Abbas Town, it can happen anywhere, in any residential area and in any building. So technically, we should all get ready. Anjum Kiani ‏@AnjumKiani Sharmilla Faruqi's party will continue into the early hours of the morning, whilst we pick up the body parts of our Bro/Sis : Abbas Town Gharidah Farooqi ‏@GFarooqi . Police guarding road to Mohatta whereas thousands in Abbas Town yearn for a single police official #PalaceVSTown Shireen Mazari ‏@ShireenMazari1 MQM exploits Abbas Town tragedy 2 suggest "self help" security or vigilantiism MQM style!But Ebad back as gov so MQM part of failed govt!

Today, the whole nation is in mourning, and religious and political groups are offering their own condemnations of the attacks. For the grief-stricken parents, siblings, and children of the victims, however – many of whom face daily hostility and suspicion in their own country – words alone are not enough.

In the run-up to the upcoming general elections, the government of Pakistan is no longer in a position to get away with such a disastrous security lapse. The biggest challenge for the government now is not only to deal with the problems of terrorism, but also to restore the trust of ordinary Pakistanis (especially those from minority faith backgrounds) in the state apparatus of security and law enforcement. This can only happen, if once and for all, the government takes the problems of terrorism and sectarian violence seriously, and puts every effort into finding answers to the questions raised by their failure to intercept and prevent the recent bomb blast in Karachi.

Rehman Anwer