Islamabad
Suspected Shiite militants assassinated an extremist Sunni Muslim leader in a hail of machine-gun fire this week. Azam Tariq, a cleric and the leader of a banned pro-Taliban group, was also a member of Parliament. His killing has raised fears that Pakistan could explode in inter-Muslim violence. Sunni and Shiite extremists have been fighting sporadically, gangland-style, ever since the Sept. 11 terror attacks, and the hits have been growing more frequent and more brazen. Sunni religious students rioted after Tariq’s funeral, setting cars on fire and torching a Shiite shrine. “We will avenge your martyrdom; we will avenge your killing,” they chanted.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
‘Tariffs at their essence are an income transfer’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Why is Trump backtracking on the Hyundai immigration raid?Today’s Big Question Backlash threatens investment in US manufacturing
-
The 9 restaurants to eat at this very momentThe Week Recommends They’re award-winning. Isn’t that reason enough?
