Sunni-Shia Relations in Pakistan: The Widening Divide

The sectarian divide between the Sunnis and Shias in Pakistan has widened since the 1980s. The rising tide of sectarian violence during Musharraf’s rule (October 1999-till date), in spite of bans and restrictions imposed on sectarian outfits and elements by the administration, suggests that the two sects have drifted further apart. This paper seeks to trace the origin of the divide, dwell upon the sectarian politics in recent months and study the role of ideological and fiscal support from outside, the influence of the radical sectarian politics of the Taliban in the neighbourhood and the propensity of the security agencies to establish links with sectarian elements and divert them towards Kashmir, in contributing to this divide.