Pakistani protesters slam Shia killings

Shia Muslims in Pakistan have staged rallies nationwide to protest persisting killing of Shias across the country, blaming provincial and federal governments for failing to prosecute the perpetrators, Press TV reports.

Protests against Shia killings have now become a regular scene in Pakistan. Once again Shia Muslims took to the streets across the country to express anger at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s administration for what they call his failure to control law and order in the country.

The rallies were organized by the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) political organization.

In addition to professionals and ordinary men who have fallen victim to the violence, at least 10 Shia doctors have been gunned down since January 2014.

No one has been accused or punished over these crimes. Dr. Abdul Aziz, who was targeted on Thursday at his clinic by unknown assailants, was the latest victim of the ongoing violence against Pakistan’s Shia community.

“Takfiri criminals are facilitated in jails and purposely allowed to escape to kill Shia Muslims,” said MWM leader in Karachi, Ali Hussain Naqvi.

The demonstrators condemned Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah for what they described as his incompetence to deliver on his promises.

“Why are they killing us? Because we love this country? Because our blood is in the foundations of this country? I think the shameless government of Nawaz Sharif should step down now as they cannot provide us security,” said a protester.

Experts say the government is downplaying the fresh security threats even after newly surfaced ISIL messages in Peshawar.

The Takfiris distributed pamphlets calling on the people to join the terrorist group, an issue that has sound the alarms for many in Pakistan.