Pakistan: “Genocide Against Shia Community” underway in Parachenar

Nearly a week of armed conflict in northwestern Pakistan has left 49 martyred and more than 170 injured as Pakistani Shia groups claim that radical Sunni groups and Wahhabi-affiliated agents are responsible for these deadly sectarian events.

The bloody conflict was evidently ignited in the Parachenar region when a family of extremist Sunnis affiliated with Wahhabi elements, living in Bushehra region, tried to usurp the land belonging to a Shia family from Malikhel region.

This action led to a conflict between the two sides, but it was immediately stopped by intermediary attempts from both sides of the conflict, and ceasefire was established to hold until 16th of Muharram, July 23.

On the next day of the ceasefire, however, the radical Sunnis affiliated with the Wahhabi elements resumed their attack to re-usurp the mentioned land, which led to further conflict between the two sides.

In the wake of these unfortunate events, the Sunni villages of the region entered into conflict with the Shia villages of the region, resulting in escalation of the conflict in Parachenar and beyond.

In the meantime, the provocative actions of radical Sunnis and Wahhabi elements and their instructions to the Sunnis of the region to massacre Shiites have effectively led to the expansion and intensity of the conflicts, which indicate the existence of a predetermined plan to create a full-scale war in Parchenar under the pretext of a conflict over a piece of land.

According to the local sources of Parachenar, this Shiite city has been targeted by cannon balls and mortars during this period, and Sunni extremists in other areas around Parachenar have also used these weapons with high skill.

The local sources of Parachenar consider the Pakistani army forces on one side and the Afghan Taliban forces on the other side as the main culprits of the Parachenar war.

These sources have emphasized in their reports that the roads leading to Parachenar are closed and access to medicine and treatment facilities in this area is very limited and, in some cases, impossible.

The internet has also been cut off in Parachenar and the possibility of problems in the supply of food looms for the people of Parachenar in the coming days.

Politicians, including MNA Engineer Hameed Hussain and Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafari, have condemned the violence, urging swift action from authorities to quell the unrest.

Deputy Commissioner Javedullah Mehsud confirmed the casualties, while police reported a truce negotiated by tribal elders and local authorities in some areas. However, sporadic gunfire continues, complicating efforts to restore peace.