The Plight Of The Hazaras in Pakistan worse then you think.

Despite a shocking history of Hazara persecution, the international outcry is muted.

Art work source 

History behind the Hazaras people in Pakistan.

The Hazaras are a distinct ethnic group with a primarily Shia Muslim identity that has been subjected to persecution and targeted violence in Pakistan for decades. Despite being a significant minority group in Pakistan, the Hazaras continue to face discrimination, marginalization, and violence on the basis of their religious and ethnic identity. The Hazaras are believed to be descendants of Mongol warriors who migrated to Afghanistan and Pakistan several centuries ago. Today, Hazaras make up around 9% of the population of Afghanistan and a small minority in Pakistan. The majority of Hazaras in Pakistan reside in the southwestern province of Baluchistan, where they have faced systemic discrimination, targeted violence, and persecution for years.

The Plight Of The Hazaras in Pakista.

The root cause of the Hazara plight in Pakistan is their Shia Muslim identity. Pakistan is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country, and there is a history of sectarian violence between the two sects. The Hazaras, who are predominantly Shia, are seen as outsiders and are often targeted by extremist Sunni groups who view them as heretics. The sectarian violence against the Hazaras in Pakistan can be traced back to the 1980s when Pakistan became a front-line state in the United States' Cold War campaign against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. The US-backed Afghan mujahideen, who were Sunni Muslims, were trained and armed by Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to fight against the Soviet-backed Afghan government, which was predominantly Shia. The sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia Muslims was amplified during this period, and the Hazaras in Pakistan became easy targets for extremist Sunni groups.

The situation after 9/11.

The situation for Hazaras in Pakistan worsened in the aftermath of the 9/11, attacks in the United States. Pakistan, under pressure from the US, launched a military operation in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan to eliminate Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants. The Hazaras, who are seen as allies of the Shia-dominated government in Iran, were caught in the crossfire between Pakistani security forces and the Taliban.

Since then, the Hazaras in Pakistan have faced a wave of targeted killings, bombings, and shootings. In 2013 alone, there were over 500 targeted killings of Hazaras in Pakistan, with many of the attacks carried out by extremist Sunni groups such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and the Islamic State of Iraq and (ISIS).

The attacks against the Hazaras in Pakistan have not abated in recent years. In 2020, a bus carrying Hazara pilgrims to Iran was attacked by militants in Balochistan, killing at least 20 people.

In January 2021, 11 coal miners, all of whom were Hazaras, were brutally killed in Machh, Balochistan, by ISIS militants.

The Hazara community in Pakistan has also faced systemic discrimination and marginalization. Hazaras often face discrimination in education, employment, and housing, and their lack of representation in government exacerbates their vulnerability to violence.

The Hazaras are also one of the poorest communities in Pakistan, and their economic situation is exacerbated by the targeted violence and discrimination they face.

The Pakistani government has been criticized for its failure to protect the Hazara community from targeted violence and persecution. While the government has taken some steps to address the issue, such as setting up a special security force for the Hazaras, the measures have been inadequate in addressing the root causes of the violence and discrimination against the Hazaras.

The government's response to the Hazara plight in Pakistan has been hindered by a lack of political will and pressure from extremist groups.

The Pakistani state has historically been weak, and its institutions have been infiltrated by extremist elements. The ISI, in particular, has been accused of supporting and funding extremist groups that target the Hazaras and other minority groups in Pakistan.

As an article writer and researcher, I am committed to providing customized services that are tailored to your specific needs and requirements. Whether you need content for a blog, website, or publication, I am able to provide articles on a wide range of topics as per your demand. I am always happy to work closely with my clients to ensure that their needs are met and that they are satisfied with the final product. So if you are looking for a reliable and versatile article writer and researcher who can provide high-quality content on any topic as per your demand, look no further.