LAHORE, April 10: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says there can be little doubt of official connivance for the spread of sectarianism and hatred in society, after the rally organized by the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) in Islamabad recently, apparently with full administrative support.

“The HRCP has long slated that the authorities have played a direct role in the spread of intolerance and militancy. The latest SSP meeting comes as proof of this,” it said in a statement on Monday.

“At the rally, which look place last Friday, literature preaching Jihad and hatred against other sects was openly distributed. Gory video compact discs of American soldiers being beheaded in Iraq were sold. As hundreds of riot police looked on, participants raised slogans against a rival sect.

Organisers thanked the Islamabad administration for allowing the rally, which was held under floodlights, at a bus depot.

“It is especially shocking that such a rally was permitted in an environment within which peaceful attempts to assemble by political activists linked to mainstream parties, journalists and other citizens have reportedly been thwarted by police thugs bearing batons. Yet in this case, no arrests were reported nor any apparent attempt made to stop the gathering despite the open violation of laws against the preaching of hatred on the incitement of violence.

“It is obvious that there can be no end to extremism and hatred in society while official policies promote its spread. In the past too, religious zealots have been able to spread terror and mayhem in major cities, while the state machinery has looked on.

“The pledges to usher in an area of tolerance or ‘enlightened moderation’ are as such obviously nothing more than a facade intended for foreign audiences. In the meanwhile citizens continue to confront the terrible violence inflicted by sectarian groups which is today growing more widespread across the country and adversely affecting the lives of millions,” it added.