THE attack on a funeral procession in D.I. Khan causing 10 deaths and injuries to about 40 people is a dastardly and highly callous act. This indicates an absence of respect among the terrorists for the universal values, which include deference for the dead. D.I. Khan is known for sectarian killings. A little before the attack a cleric belonging to a minority sect was killed in the city, which has led to the perception that sectarian terrorists might have been behind the incident. On Friday a religious scholar of a minority sect was killed by unknown attackers in Quetta also. There are many who think that terrorist outfits often target members of minority sects in an attempt to initiate communal strife. Despite tribal fights in Kurram Agency that tend to assume a communal color, people adhering to different sects have lived peacefully in Pakistan. Beliefs matter little in social intercourse and interpersonal relations. People give importance to more relevant issues than personal beliefs while electing legislators or choosing their leaders in professional organizations and trade unions. Those indulging in sectarian killings are members of small clandestine groups which do not represent the communities to which they belong. Despite their attempts they have failed to pit one sect against another, thanks the moderate views held by the majority of the people of Pakistan. As they get increasingly isolated on account of the gory acts they commit, terrorist elements are reportedly trying to use sectarian outfits to divide the population. While a number of political parties had questioned the claim by Mr Altaf Hussain regarding the Taliban infiltrating on a large scale in Karachi, the possibility of the terrorist groups targeting the metropolis cannot be ruled out. Any strife in the largest city and the hub of the country's industrial activity would have serious consequences for Pakistan's economy. Briefing President Zardari and Sindh cabinet on Friday, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik maintained that Al-Qaeda can launch terror attacks in Karachi by using networks like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, SSP and TTP. There was a need according to him to increase vigilance. What the federal government needs to do is to improve the performance of its security agencies so that Sindh government is provided actionable intelligence on time. President Zardari has called on the provincial administration to keep watch on outsiders, particularly those migrating from tribal areas, requiring them to be registered with a police station. He has also advised the government to collect information about the seminaries. Karachi is a multi-ethnic city where people come for jobs and business from all parts of the country. Any action that promotes a perception of ethnic profiling should therefore be strictly avoided.