Pakistan: 1,000 Shia Muslims killed or injured in a decade amid escalating violence against community
In stark contrast to the vision of Pakistan’s founding leader, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who envisioned a state for all Muslims, Pakistan has become one of the most dangerous places for Shia Muslims.
Recent attacks have highlighted the systematic persecution faced by the Shia community, turning streets into blood-soaked scenes of tragedy. These are not isolated incidents but part of a long history of sectarian violence that has plagued the country. For many, especially Shia Muslims in neighboring India, these tragedies are both personal and political wounds.
According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) and human rights organizations, 238 targeted killings of Shia Muslims were recorded in Pakistan in 2024 alone. These figures exclude daily incidents of hate speech, forced conversions, and intimidation faced by Shias.
In 2013, the city of Quetta, home to a significant Shia population, experienced deadly bombings that claimed over 200 lives in one of the bloodiest attacks in Pakistan’s history. Data from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) reveals an annual average of 150 Shia deaths between 2014 and 2023.
According to Pakistan’s “Dawn” newspaper, over 2,000 Shia Muslims were killed during the past decade in mass shootings, bombings, and targeted assassinations. Groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Sipah-e-Sahaba, often operating with implicit state support, are identified as key perpetrators.
Dawn’s journalist Zahid Hussain said that more than 10,000 Shia Muslims were killed or injured in attacks over the last ten years, with thousands forcibly displaced from their homes. For Pakistan’s Shia community, daily life has become a precarious existence.
In contrast, reports indicate that Shia Muslims in India demonstrate a model of coexistence and pluralism. During the annual Ashura processions, Sunni Muslims, Hindus, and Christians join in commemorations, reflecting mutual respect among communities.
According to a report by Pew Research Center, Shia Muslims constitute 10-15% of India’s Muslim population. They enjoy constitutional protections allowing them to practice their faith freely and participate widely in politics, education, arts, and business.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, Shia Muslims are often forced to hide their religious identity, with even the simplest acts of worship making them targets of terrorism.
