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Ups and downs of life of Shia Hazaras in Pakistan + Photos

SHAFAQNAHazaras are an ethnic group originally from Afghanistan, who in addition to the country, live in Iran and Pakistan. Hazaras are mostly Shia Twelvers and that has made them an easy target for extremist militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This report takes a closer look at this ethnic group.

Hazaras are an ethnic group from Hazarajat mountainous regions of Afghanistan that have spread into neighboring countries. They are believed to be descendants of Mongol invaders who created a vast empire in Central and West Asia in the 13th and 14th centuries. Hazaras speak Hazaragi, a language derived from Persian-Dari.

Hazaras who make up the third biggest ethnic community of Afghanistan, form a big ethnic group in Pakistan and it is estimated 650,000 to 900,000 Hazaras live in that country, mostly in and around the northwestern city of Quetta. Some reside in Iran and small groups of them have migrated to Europe. Hazaras are mostly Shia Ithna-Ashari (Shia Twelver) or Ismaili. A minority of them are Sunni.

They can be easily recognized from other ethnicities in Pakistan and that puts them at risk of attacks by extremist Pakistanis.

Being both religious and ethnic minority has brought a sad fate to Hazaras: they were massacred in 1880 to 1900 by Abdul Rahman, the Emir of Afghanistan in late 19th century, who made people obey him by creating fear in their hearts. Hazaras were an easy target for him. According to the Hazaras, many were killed and only half of the members of their communities could survive the massacre.

Living a life in hiding in fear of Takfiris

Quetta is the provincial capital of Pakistan’s Baluchistan with over 2.3 million population. Around half a million Hazaras are living in two neighborhoods of the city. Mariabad and Hazara districts are protected by hundreds of security guards and tens of check points to prevent extremist attacks. Hazaras accuse the Pakistani government of failing to protect them against the Takfiri groups. They say the government’s weakness made them being surrounded in the two suburbs without being able to freely move to and from Quetta.

en.shafaqna-Ups and downs of life of Shia Hazaras in Pakistan + Photos

According to Hazara lawyer and human rights activist, Sardar Sahil, Hazaras have peen living under a condition similar to a siege for the past 10-15 years due to religious-ethnic attacks. He adds that although Quetta authorities provided them with security, they feel segregated. Sahil says he is dependent on a bodyguard and always carries a gun on himself.

Hazara human rights defender Sardar Sahil carried a gun for his own security

The fact that Hazaras could be recognized based on their physical features made them a target for anti-Shia Takfiri groups such as ISIS (Daesh) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The United Nations estimates rebel groups affiliated with Pakistan’s Taliban have killed at least 1,500 members of Hazara community in the past decade. Suicide bombings, targeted assassinations and explosions are among various forms of the continuous violence against the Hazara. The UN stresses that living in protected areas and have denied Hazaras of many economic opportunities.

Hazara kids, Mariabad neighborhood of Quetta

Pakistani human rights activist, Mohammed Jibran Nasir, believes anti-Hazara violence has sectarian roots and they come under attacks more than other minority or Shia groups in Pakistan.

Nasir says in spite of the government’s attempts to protect the Hazaras, Takfiri rebels still carry out carnage against them: the latest was a huge explosion in April 2019 that left 24 people dead, one-third of them Hazaras. Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed the responsibility. It was the worst since deadly explosions in early 2013 that left almost 200 Hazaras dead.

Pakistani security forces boosted the protection in the wake of the bombing, though that seemed not to be enough. Many businesses in Quetta city were shut down or transferred into Mariamabad and Hazara districts as the result of the bombing.

en-shafaqna-Ups and downs of life of Shia Hazaras in Pakistan + Photos
Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Chairperson of Hazara Democratic Party, Pakistan

Chairperson of the Hazara Democratic Party in Pakistan (HDP) Abdul Khaliq Hazara says his people are worried and dissatisfied with their condition. Some of them are unemployed and they want to show their history, culture, tradition and music to others. He says the Hazara community tries to voice its protest about the current situation through peaceful means.

Nargess Hazara: a champion from Pakistan’s Hazara ethnicity

Nargess Hazara is a Martial arts sportswoman. Nargess who won a medal in 2018 Asian Championship says local Pakistani media report about the Hazara community only when they are attacked or demonstrate for protection while the Hazara community which is slowly making progress, has many other things to be proud of.

Nargess says, “each of us dreams to be able to change the hearts and minds of the Pakistanis and the world about the Hazara community.”

Source: AhlulBay News Agency (ABNA)

Read more from Shafaqna:

Photos: Hazara Shiites life in Quetta, Pakistan 

At least 20 killed in Terror attack on Hazara market in Pakistani city of Quetta

Afghanistan: Hazara Shiites under Taliban attack in a war never seen before 

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