Pakistani protesters condemn the killing of Shia Muslims during a rally in Islamabad. (File photo)
Pakistan has imposed a curfew in a district of Punjab Province after a dozen of Shia and Sunni Muslims were gunned down by pro-Taliban groups across the volatile region.
According to district police chief, Sarfaraz Falki, the towns of Darya Khan, Kotal Jam and Panj Garaeen in the Bhakkar district are under a three-day curfew, which started on Friday night.
Local officials have also banned protest marches and political gatherings in Bhakkar city where the violence took place. At least 12 people lost their lives after pro-Taliban groups targeted Shia Muslims across the region.
The extremist groups known as Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi have carried out several violent attacks on Shia Muslims in the troubled district over the past few months.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has demanded Islamabad government to detain and prosecute those responsible for deadly attacks on Shia Muslims across Pakistan. The rights group also says hundreds of Shias were killed in Pakistan in 2012, which was the deadliest year on record for the Shia Muslim community.
The frequent incidence of Shia massacre has raised serious concerns among human rights groups, while moderate Pakistani Sunni groups have described the issue as a conspiracy against the country.
Several Shia religious gatherings have been also targeted in Punjab and other provinces over the past months.
Despite the Pakistani government’s operations against Taliban militants and associated groups, they have still been able to spread their influence in various regions of the violence-wracked country.
The killing of Shias has caused an international outrage, with rights groups and regional countries expressing concern over the ongoing deadly violence.
Shias make up about one-third of Pakistanâ„¢s population of over 180 million.
JR/SS
Republished from: Press TV