Peshawar: Thousands stage protest against Shia killings in Pakistan

The Shia Muslims of Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa Province has asked the government to constitute an independent anti-terrorism cell headed by the Peshawar corps commander to take necessary action against terrorist networks and serial target killing of Shia Muslims in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa province.
The Protestors demanded of the government to ensure security of life and property of Shia community living in the country. General Secretary of Imamia Jirga Muzafar Akhunzada, member of Imamia Jirga Sardar Sajjad, Major(R) Hasnain, Majlis-e-Wehdatual Muslimeen leader Irshahd Hussain Khalili and renowned scholar Senator (r) Maulana Jawad Hadi led the protest rally.
Beside other hundreds of woman also participated in the rally to condemn the growing incidents of Target killing in Peshawar. The protesters chanted full-throated slogans against the government and Taliban terrorits. They also paid tributes to martyrs while reciting Marsiya and Noha Khwani.
Addressing on the occasion the leaders said that government has been failed to protect the lives and property of the people. They said that hundred of Shia people have been killed in various parts of the country but no action has been taken against the culprits. They added that in the last one and half month two doctors, one judge and a Lawyer were killed in target killing incidents only in Peshawar. The clerics and leaders said that Shia students, traders, doctors, lawyers and other professionals are much concern about their security as so far no person has been arrested involved in heinous crimes of target killing.
They demanded of Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti and Chief Justice Peshawar High Court to take serious notice of target killing incidents in Peshawar and take full proof security measures for the protection of the lives and property of the people. They warned that if their demands were not fulfilled then, the shia community across the country would launch a peaceful protest movement for the protection of their citizens.
The declaration was also passed in a protest on Friday against sectarian killings. It was endorsed by leaders of Shia representative organisations including Majlis-eWehdatul Muslimeen, Imamia Students Organization, Shia Ulema Council and local shia organization of the city.
The Imamia Coordination Council (ICC) rally started from Kucha Risaldar, passed through Qissa Khwani, and then to Khyber Bazaar where it took the shape of a public gathering. Participants carried pictures of victims of target killings and placards inscribed with inter-religious harmony slogans, condemning sectarian attacks in the country.
According to the Millat-e-Jafria, 90 people belonging to Shia families have been killed over a fortnight. Since January, two prominent doctors and a lawyer have been assassinated in Peshawar, while Additional Sessions Judge Ihtisham Ali survived a targeted attack, which injured him severely.

They asked security agencies to plug the flow of funds from foreign states to militant groups which instigate sectarian violence.
They demanded compensation for the families of all civilians killed in terrorist incidents – akin to the compensation for families of slain armed forces and police personnel.