Curfew imposed in Bhakkar following sectarian clash

Published August 24, 2013
— File Photo
— File Photo

LAHORE: A curfew was imposed in Punjab’s Bhakkar district for an indefinite period following Friday’s clash between members of two religious sects there left five people dead and eight others injured.

The curfew came into effect at 10 am on Saturday and additional police forces and Rangers were deployed in sensitive areas of the district to address any untoward situation.

The clash between workers of the Ahle Sunnat Waljamaat (ASWJ) and members of the Shia community happened after a protest rally by the ASWJ against the police’s failure to apprehend those behind the killing of a shopkeeper.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also took notice of the clash on Friday and condemning the incident, Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen declared three days of mourning.

Pakistan has experienced worsening sectarian violence in recent years. The clash in Bhakkar came on the same day as two people were killed on the outskirts of Islamabad when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire outside a Sunni seminary.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...