Iran: Attacks on Shiites in Pakistan Aimed at Stirring Sectarian Strife

Iran strongly condemned the growing attacks on Shiite Muslims in Pakistan, and cautioned that the attacks are aimed at stirring sectarian strife in the Muslim country.

In a statement on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast condemned the latest spate of terrorist attacks which killed 25 Shiite Muslims attending processions commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) in two Pakistani cities, and noted that these “organized actions” are aimed at sparking and deepening sectarian strife in Iran’s neighboring country.

He expressed the hope that the perpetrators of these crimes would be identified and captured by Pakistan’s judiciary in the shortest possible time to face trial.

Violence has surged against Shiite Muslims in different parts of Pakistan in recent months. Since the beginning of 2012, hundreds of Shiites have been killed in various parts of the militancy-wracked country.