Thousands of Pakistanis have held a demonstration in the city of Rawalpindi to promote unity among Shia and Sunni Muslims.
The demonstrators denounced foreign conspiracies aimed at creating division among the Muslims in Pakistan.
The Muslim demonstrators also blamed the West for sparking violence in the region ahead of the planned withdrawal of US-led forces from Afghanistan.
The Pakistani participants further condemned an anti-Islam movie produced in the United States in 2012. The protesters expressed determination to challenge any plot by foreign forces and the West to defame Islam.
Pakistan has been the scene of violence against Shia Muslims in different parts of the country in recent months.
On January 10, nearly 130 people were killed and many others injured in a wave of bombings targeting both Pakistani security guards and civilians, including Shia Muslims, in the city of Quetta.
Since the beginning of 2012, hundreds of Shias have been killed in Pakistan. The attacks have targeted many doctors, engineers, high-ranking government officials, teachers, and politicians.