Shia Rights Violated in Pakistan: 79 Years of Violence and Insecurity

WebDesk

16 August, 2026 06:08

Shia Rights Violated in Pakistan: 79 Years of Violence and Insecurity

Shiite News: Since the establishment of Pakistan through August 14, 2026, the Shia community has faced sectarian terrorism, targeted killings, attacks on Imambargahs and religious gatherings, Sunni takfiri and hate campaigns, and, in some areas, failures in state protection.

Sectarian extremism increased significantly after the 1980s, while during the 1990s, anti-Shia violence became more organized with the activities of militant organizations such as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, which have been banned by the state. Karachi, Quetta, Parachinar, Gilgit, Jhang, and other areas have been among those affected.

The Hazara Shia community in Balochistan, in particular, has faced prolonged targeted killings and bomb attacks. According to the report, the most serious sectarian incident in 2026 so far occurred on February 6, when a suicide attack targeted Khadija-tul-Kubra Mosque and Imambargah in Islamabad, killing at least 31 people and injuring 169 others.

According to human rights organizations, Shia citizens in Pakistan are constitutionally entitled to religious freedom and equal citizenship rights. However, serious problems reportedly remain in practice regarding the right to life, religious freedom, protection of places of worship, freedom of movement, and effective legal protection.

As of August 14, 2026, no authoritative, comprehensive, and universally agreed official record was available for the total number of Shia citizens killed in sectarian attacks. However, reports indicate that the Shia community has faced violence and insecurity in Pakistan for several decades.