Pakistan’s Shias announce active participation in politics

Urging unity to frustrate designs of the inimical forces, Shias in Pakistan Sunday announced that they would actively take part in the country’s politics. Central leaders of the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslim (MWM) Pakistan told thousands of Shia Muslims that presence of a large number of people in the ‘Quran and Sunnah’ conference in the city of Lahore has proved that the Shias in Pakistan cannot be terrorized through terrorist attacks.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari told the gathering at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan that recent terrorist attack on the Pakistani pilgrims in Quetta was an attempt by the enemy to fan the fire of sectarianism, but these elements will never succeed to divide Muslims.

The conference was organized to explore ways to defend the rights of Shia community in Pakistan’s political scene with their presence.

The participants in the day-long conference were chanting slogans against the US and Zionists and ‘Labbaik ya Hussain (AS).’ They were holding the MWM flags, banners and placards inscribed with the anti-US slogans.

A large number of security personnel, including paramilitary troops and anti-terror police were deployed outside the venue to maintain security. Shia volunteers also performed security duty, making the conference a successful event. A large number of women also participated in the conference.

Speakers underlined the need for unity to frustrate designs of those who are bent upon creating rift in the ranks of the Muslims. They said that Shia leaders have always urged their followers to show restraint whenever terrorists targeted innocent people.

Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari told the conference amid slogans that Shias are the natural defenders of Pakistan as they have always been in the forefront to render sacrifices for the country.

He said Americans have faced defeat in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria and they will also face the same fate in Pakistan.

‘We will expel the Americans from Pakistan with insult,’ he said, adding that the American embassy and its all diplomatic missions in Pakistan are the centers of conspiracies to destabilize Pakistan.

He said the enemies of Islam and terrorist are launching attacks in Pakistan for the purpose to target members of the Shiite community in this country but Shia Muslims are well aware of the conspiracies.

Pakistani Shia from other parts of the country including Khyber Pakhtunkhwah Gilgit, Baltistan, Baluchistan and Sindh provinces also attended the conference and supported their leaders decision to take part in active politics in Pakistan.

A central leader of MWM, Allama Mohammad Amin Shahidi pointed out that Shia presence in the political, economic and social fields will enable them to defend Pakistan in a more effective way. He said the decision will give much important role to Shias in Pakistan to project their voice and to foil the efforts of those who want to divide the Muslims and promote sectarianism.

He said America and Israel are making plots against this country, but the Shia community would prove to be a big hurdle in the way of all such attempts.

Speakers criticized the government for its failure to protect Shia Muslims and to apprehend those who are behind the killing of innocent people. They said that all conspiracies against Shia Muslims must be unearthed. They warned that if the government and its law enforcement agencies failed to protect the lives and property of the Shias then they would stage a sit-in outside the Prime Minister’s house.

Several Shia leaders in separate interviews with IRNA welcomed the MWM leaders’ decision to join the active political arena and said it will ensure participation of Shia community in the political life.

They also said that the decision will also unite all Shia Muslims in Pakistan and their voice will now be heard everywhere and in the parliament.