HOW CAN THE SURGE OF SECTARIAN INTOLERANCE IN PAKISTAN BE TACKLED? BRIDGING THE WIDENING DIVIDE

Problem and aim of the study: This article deals with the causes of the scary rise of sectarian Intolerance, violence, and prejudices in Pakistan. This article also investigates that how sectarian intolerance causes violence in society and what strategies should imply to curtail sectarianism from society? Research methods: The research is qualitative, and applies the inductive and deductive methodology to the collected data. The data has been derived from the South Asian Terrorism Portal and to analyze the authenticity the author has collected the shared information from published articles, researches, and government official website that provide the statistics about violence and terrorism. Main findings: The study concludes by arguing the dire need for the promulgation and dissemination of inclusive thoughts for attaining a tolerant society free from sectarian intolerance because the implications of sectarian violence are a great threat to the peace process in the country. Application of the study: This study has significant implications from both a theoretical and a realistic perspective. The present study would be useful for policy-makers, to curtail the sectarianism in State. Therefore, the banning of sectarian speeches, sectarian literature, has been strongly suggested. The government should place a moratorium on the printing of sectarian literature for sectarian unity. The study also has tried to make realize to the state actors, including security forces and intelligence agencies, to avoid blame foreign involvement in sectarian polarization and why they ignore the fault lines destabilizing Pakistan's social fabric since Pakistan's inception. Therefore, the study would doubtlessly help decrease unpleasant incidents and reduce religious fanaticism. Originality and novelty of the study: This is the fact that in the existing literature the least attention has been given to sectarianism in Pakistan. The present study aims to deals with the social, religious, and political aspects of sectarian violence. Therefore, this is the first study that has investigated sectarian violence by exploring the issue of sectarianism from a social, religious, and political perspective.


INTRODUCTION
The flames of sectarianism kindle in most societies of the world and often it becomes a complex issue in numerous cultures and societies. Pakistan is also among those where sectarianism has turned into a complex issue which proved not only the major hindrance to its development but also a threat to its integration. Sectarianism has become a national concern by the rapid expansion of its tentacles throughout Pakistan, and a greater source of violence in society (Abbas & Syed, 2021). Sectarianism is an issue that has badly damaged society (Asma Khan, 2017). Sunni and Shia are the two main sects of Islam. It is unfortunate that historically, sects and subsects hold extremist views against each other. Majeed & Hashmi (2014) define it as "the strong support for a particular religious or political group, especially when this leads to violence between different groups and in such a way as to consider others' views completely wrong and their followers as infidels." Therefore, sectarianism means the philosophy of a group construction is dissimilar and different from others and can be defined as "the intolerant attitude of a particular school of thought towards others, which divides different segments of society into antagonistic groups and creates hatred between them based on faith and belief system" (Ahmar, 2010).

THE RATIONALE OF THE STUDY:
Sectarianism is spreading rapidly its tentacles all around the country. Even, it has hit those areas which were free of sectarian strives and getting violent day by day. This can be solved by making determined efforts to deal with sectarian intolerance in Pakistan. It can be a focus on some of making suitable policies to abolish this element from every area. It can consist of different steps that can help it eliminate at the initial level by tackle rising violence. Although it is a difficult task it's not impossible to work (Mahsood & Muhammad, 2017). Therefore, it is indispensable to address the root causes of sectarian intolerance promptly to contain the issue.
Thus, the present study aimed to address that Sectarian Intolerance is causing a scary rise of violence in Pakistan.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Sectarianism in Pakistan is a complex phenomenon and it is not easy to analyze the basic factors of the conflict among sects that hinders peace settlement in the state (Abbas, 2015). Background of the sectarian divide in Pakistan and how the confessional differentiation between Sunni and Shitte communities affects the country and society; religious extremism and intolerance lead to sectarian violence in Pakistan (Malik et al., 2019). Pakistan has failed to eliminate sectarian conflicts, social polarization from its territory (Hyder et al., 2015). Mainly foreign forces are involved to vent the feelings of hatred among the different religious groups (Khan, 2005 (Abbas, & Syed, 2021). Nearly about 3059 incidents of sectarian violence have occurred since 1989 in which more than 5000 people were killed (Bakhsh et al., 2020). Smith (2014), stated that the Islamic revolution in Iran, and the Afghan war are some of the contributing factors in the emergence of sectarian violence. The Human Rights Commission Report of Pakistan states that over 200 sectarian terrorist attacks were in 2013 (Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 2014). According to Pakistan's National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) "With a population of about 600,000 in Quetta, the community, whose physical appearance makes them easy targets, has been targeted in a sustained campaign of murders and bombings that have claimed at least 509 lives since 2013" (Asad Hashim, 2018). In 2013, "Pakistan had the highest possible score on the social hostilities involving religions index, which measures acts of religious hostility by private individuals, organizations, and social groups (Kfir, 2014). This includes religion-related armed conflict or terrorism, mob or sectarian violence, harassment over attire for religious reasons, and other religion-related intimidation or abuse" (Grim, 2014). Due to this uncertain situation, the state has failed to maintain a law-and-order situation, especially in the sectarian-based areas of Pakistan. Sufi shrines, Mosques, and Madrassas are continuously targeted by sectarian extremists (Naaz, 2019). Pakistan's National Security Policy 2014-2018 was cited as saying, "Pakistan is confronting genuine conventional and non-customary dangers of rough radicalism, sectarianism, terrorism, and militancy." While discussing sectarianism, Mishra, (2004)

METHODOLOGY
The research was designed qualitatively. The data has been derived from the South Asian Terrorism Portal. The inductive and deductive methodology has been applied to conclude the data objectively.

FINDINGS /DISCUSSION
In the past, it used to be confined to debates among the sectarian 'Ulama; later, it progressed to hot discussions among  South Asian Terrorism Portal, Sectarian Violence in Pakistan, <www.satp.org/satporgtp/ countries/Pakistan/database/sect-killing.htm>, visited on 1 November 2020.  We should introduce education reforms in seminaries' syllabuses to cater to modern life needs (Naveed, Hussain & Salim, 2011). Modern educational and theological awareness must be offered to students. Computer science, basic science, and other modern subjects will help students to find employment in the market. This initiative not only broadens the students' viewpoints but also eliminates the distance between modernists and traditionalists.
The Similarly, sectarian gatherings increase religious fanaticism because it is in these gatherings that adherence to a sect is emphasized. On such occasions, sectarian leaders also demand more and more followers' loyalty to propagate and protect their sectarian ideology. It has been proved that these gatherings and those followers of opposing sects are as powerful as any bomb (Abbas & Syed, 2021). Therefore, the banning of sectarian speeches has been strongly suggested. It would decrease unpleasant incidents and also reduce religious fanaticism.
It is important to curb the challenge of sectarianism by enforcing Islamic ideology in its true spirit by government machinery and suppressing extremist movements in the best interests of the State (Afzal et al., 2012). The government must begin a plan to ban specifically different terrorist groups, and reforms should be introduced to improve the role of madrasas in society . Non-governmental organizations are formed to defend the masses by combating social evils, as sectarianism is a danger to the stability and security of society ( Most of our 'Ulama have a sanctimonious nature: there are inconsistencies between what they claim to do to eliminate sectarianism, and what they do. In print and electronic media, 'Ulama talk of Muslim unity. However, they urge their adherents in their private meetings to pursue aggressive actions against other sects (Zaman et al., 2019). This mentality is frustrating. The ruling authorities and concerned departments should monitor these kinds of situations to create awareness to condemn this kind of approach due to the severity of fanaticism and sectarian violence. On the contrary, the 'Ulama will be compelled to come on the right track (Shaista & Shafqat, 2018).
All sectarian groups and parties which fan sectarian hate should be banned. Their offices need to be locked and their staff and politicians put behind bars. We admit that this strategy or policy would be against the notion of freedom of speech and association, which is necessary to maintain public peace (Majeed & Hashmi 2014). However, this ban should not be imposed upon nonviolent groups that are not involved in fanning fanaticism.
The Government should place a ban on foreign assistance for sectarian groups to shield Pakistan from this civil war and provide a stable climate (Kashif, 2019). Reduced budgets would discourage them from conducting terrorist operations or printing sectarian literature. There is a dire need to increase the budget for anti-sectarian operations and implement all the proposed strategies by researchers, analysts, and policymakers. It is mostly citizens belonging to the poor class who commit terrorist acts (Siddiqui, 2015). They usually consider this option because of exceeding hardship in their lives, unemployment, and poverty (Basit, 2013).
These individuals can easily be hired for terrorist activity because they already have nothing to do. The government should take steps for the elimination of unemployment and poverty. Besides reducing poverty and unemployment, small business loans and opportunities for jobs should be offered. Undoubtedly it would keep people occupied, and thus they would refrain from sectarian violence (Abbas & Syed, 2020). The sense of jealousy, envy, and hatred can also be eradicated by work. The government must create job opportunities. Welfare programs should also be implemented to eradicate poverty. In addition to socio-economic uplift, these endeavours would create sufficient opportunities for the jobless.
Enough money is reported to have been spent on publishing sectarian literature to protect and propagate sectarian ideologies (Siddiqui, 2015). Besides provocative statements, the mullahs (semi-theologians) also criticize other sects' beliefs on sensitive issues. Emphasis is also put on adopting violent behaviour against other sects.
Religious seminaries belonging to various sects publish their magazines and publications endorsing their sects which creates hatred for the opposite sect's followers. Since the independence of Pakistan in 1947, three hundred religious journals have been published to influence the readers' religious beliefs (Ahmar, 2007). The 'Ulama should collaborate with all sects to create literature that contributes to cordial ties between different sects. The masses of the common citizens should also stop reading sectarian literature. The publishing of sectarian literature must be actively prevented by this joint government battle, Ulama, and the masses (Shaista & Shafqat, 2018).

CONCLUSION
The ruling class had never used religion to reinforce the national integration process. Since Pakistan was founded, rulers, especially military leaders, have used religion for their purposes. Various Pakistani rulers have engaged religious groups in sectarian conflict to protect their interests. From 1988 to 2004, sectarian killing was at its height because all the sectarian plants implanted in Zia's era bore fruits in this period. Well-organized and well-trained terrorist groups emerged, and were involved in bomb blasts and killing innocent people. After 9/11, Pakistan's government joined the international coalition against terrorism. However, the government's efforts did not meet with much success, and until now, the ongoing sectarian skirmish is dividing the population of Pakistan with dangerous ramifications.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICYMAKERS
The recommendations of the study are based on the uniformity of religious institutions' education. The government should take steps for the elimination of unemployment and poverty. Welfare programs should also be implemented to eradicate poverty. The government should place a moratorium on the printing of sectarian literature for sectarian unity. The publishing of sectarian literature must be actively prevented by this joint government battle, Ulama, and the masses.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The present study has a few limitations, for example, the research was designed qualitatively; therefore, the intensity of the issue demands empirical research to analyze the public approach to curtail the problem. Moreover, this study has focused on the role of religious fanaticism and political parties in the prevalence of sectarian violence while other factors like proxy-war and forging policy have been ignored in this study due to the limited period.