The Predictable Cycle of Sectarian Violence in Pakistan
Here's what they buried in paragraph 15: FIRST INSTANCE: Proxy Wars and Sectarianism (1979-1980s) The Soviet-Afghan War, catalyzed by the 1979 Soviet invasion, transformed Pakistan into a frontline state. The United States, through Operation Cyclone, poured billions into supporting mujahideen groups (CIA, 1980s). This influx of arms and ideology, particularly Wahhabist doctrines from Saudi Arabia,
had a devastating spillover effect into Pakistan. General Zia-ul-Haq's Islamization policies further entrenched sectarian divisions, fostering an environment where Sunni extremist groups like Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) emerged, openly targeting Shi'ite communities. This period saw the first significant rise in organized sectarian attacks against Shi'ites. REPETITIONS: Escalation and State
Complicity (1990s-2000s) The landscape of sectarian violence became more complex. In 1995, a bombing at a Shi'ite mosque in Karachi killed 20, squarely attributed to sectarian militants. The rise of the Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan, nurtured in part by elements within Pakistan's intelligence apparatus, further empowered Sunni extremist groups (Ahmed Rashid, 2000). The 2000s saw persistent,
often coordinated, attacks on Shi'ite processions and mosques across Pakistan. For example, in 2004, a suicide bombing at an Imam Bargah in Sialkot killed dozens during Ashura. These groups, while ostensibly distinct, often shared ideological roots and sometimes logistical support from various factions within the state, even as global powers demanded 'cooperation' against terrorism. OUTCOMES: