So far, 150 people have been killed in prolonged violence between Shia and Sunni sects in Pakistan. On Sunday alone, 21 people were killed in the violence, after which the decision was made to impose a ceasefire. After this horrible violence, a meeting took place between the two sects. It was decided that members of the Shia and Sunni sects would observe the ceasefire for the next seven days.
This violence took place in the Kurram tribal district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan. Violence between Shia and Sunni communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa began on November 21. Here, in the Kurram district, a convoy of the Shia community was passing by and was ambushed. 42 people died in this attack. After this, the Shia community retaliated and violence continued to escalate. A large number of people from both communities were killed. Seeing the increase in violence, the KPK government formed a high-level commission.
Shia-Sunnis to exchange prisoners
KPK provincial government spokesperson Lawyer Muhammad Ali Saif said that under the agreement, the elders of both communities decided that the bodies of those killed should be handed over to each other. It was also agreed at the meeting that those who were taken prisoner would also be returned.
Meeting between leaders of both communities
Saif said that a ceasefire was agreed upon between the tribes for 7 days. Both sides also agree to exchange prisoners and return the bodies of the dead. Women are also included among the prisoners. Saif said a government delegation met Shia tribesmen on Nov. 23 before meeting Sunni tribal leaders on Sunday and returned to Peshawar after the ceasefire agreement.
The dispute between Shiites and Sunnis continues in Pakistan
We told you that after Saturday’s violence, the death toll was 82, it was later revealed that among those who died, 16 were Sunnis and 66 were from the Shia community. Although violence in Pakistan’s KPK province began on November 21, conflict between Shia and Sunni communities continues. According to the Guardian report, 150 people have lost their lives here due to violence in recent months.
The violence began on the ground.
The population of the Shia community in Sunni-dominated Pakistan is 15 percent. Shiite and Sunni groups generally live peacefully in Pakistan, but tension persists. However, there is a history of communal conflict in this area. Previously, terrorist groups used to attack Shia minorities here, but the current violence is related to land disputes. No one has yet taken responsibility for the violence against the Shiite convoy on November 21.
