There are two levels of
Sufism in Pakistan. The first is the 'populist' Sufism of the rural population. This level of Sufism involves belief in intercession through saints, veneration of their shrines and forming bonds with a
pir (
saint). Many rural Pakistani Muslims associate with
pirs and seek their intercession. The second level of Sufism in Pakistan is 'intellectual
Sufism' which is growing among the urban and educated population. They are influenced by the writings of Sufis such as the medieval theologian
al-Ghazali, the Sufi reformer
Shaykh Aḥmad Sirhindi and
Shah Wali Allah. ==Attacks on Sufi shrines==