Pakistani expatriates in the UAE have expressed their deep concern over the law and order situation and unrest in their country following the recent sectarian killings, especially that of the parliamentarian and militant leader Maulana Azam Tariq who was gunned down last Monday.
Azam Tariq's murder once again flared a sectarian wave of violence all over the country as extremists belonging to his group went on the rampage even in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, deemed the most safe and calm city in the country, damaging property, vehicles and threatening revenge.
Tariq, who was the head of the banned extremist Sunni group Sipaha-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), was shot dead along with his three bodyguards on the outskirts of Islamabad.
Expatriates fear that the murder of Tariq, who was a high profile Sunni leader, may lead to a rise in sectarian violence, hampering economic activities in the country.
Mohammed Riaz Farooq, Welfare Secretary of the Pakistan Association in Dubai, condemned Tariq's killing and said it was quite damaging for the country. "Some people who want to create unrest in the country may be behind the recent sectarian killings," he said, adding that the government should control the situation with an iron hand.
"The government must come up with a strategy to create religious harmony as people, especially foreign investors are now afraid of going to Pakistan for fear of their lives," he said.
Zahoor Hussain Shujra, a prominent businessman in Dubai, said all religious sects should show tolerance and live like brothers.
Religious leaders should join hands and find solution to this situation. "If the government wants to improve the economy, it has to take immediate steps to stop this current wave of sectarian violence."
Tanveer Khawaja, former chairman of the Pakistan Business Council in Dubai, while condemning the killings and unrest in the country said he saw a foreign hand in the incident.He said it is very unfortunate to see the deteriorating law and order situation, especially at a time when the country is progressing on the economic front.
"The government should take the initiative to bring all the religious groups together to create religious harmony and peace in the country," he said.
Naimat Ullah Jafri, former chairman, Pakistan Professional Forum in Dubai, said religious scholars belonging to different sects should issue statements to calm their people down and defuse the situation before it is 'too late'.
Gulf News
