Like other parts of the civilized world, millions of Pakistanis also protested last week against the brutality of Israel toward innocent Palestinians, particularly the people of Gaza.
In Karachi, two separate Gaza Marches were organized by two religious parties—Jumat-e-Islami (JI) and Jamiat Ulama-e-Islami( JUI). These were addressed by the respective party leaders, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman and Moulana Fazl-ur-Rehman.
Karachi Gaza March:
Thousands of Karachi residents on Sunday gathered on the city’s main roads for Gaza solidarity marches organised by two religio-political parties, where the participants expressed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid Israel’s bloody military offensive.
Jamaat-e-Islami supporters in solidarity with Palestinians take part in a protest in Karachi on April 13. — AFP
These marches come two days after large pro-Palestinian protests were observed in cities across Pakistan.
The rallies were organised by the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Main Sharea Faisal and Sharah-i-Quaideen, respectively.
People from all walks of life attended the demonstration, including representative bodies of lawyers, teachers, traders, doctors and other professionals.
In his address to the March, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said that Karachi had once again proved that it represents the entire Muslim world.
He said that the people of Gaza were facing unbearable pain, around 70,000 people were killed in Gaza, including women and children.
The JI chief warned Muslim world leaders that Israel would threaten them after it was finished with its campaign in Gaza.
He demanded that Pakistan’s political leadership “take the lead in global measures” and urged them to “invite all like-minded people to a single platform to devise a joint global strategy” against Israel.
Naeem urged the residents of Karachi to continue the boycott of Israeli-made goods, saying that social media platforms would be used against them just like another tool, but their products would not be consumed to hit their economy.
He also announced a countrywide shutdown strike in the country on April 22 in solidarity with Palestinians.
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said, “Our struggle against Israeli aggression and to express solidarity with the Palestinian people will continue.”
Fazl said that Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had a clear stance that Israel is an illegitimate state, and nobody can disagree with that position.
“It is our duty to provide moral, diplomatic, and all kinds of assistance to the Muslims of Gaza, the Palestinian people are not alone. We are with them until the last drop of blood,” he maintained.
UI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman adress Gaza March : amige by White Star
Lahore:
In Lahore,, a large rally under the name ‘Gaza is Calling You’ was held following Friday prayers. The procession, which began at Mall Road and passed through Nasir Bagh, was led by Naeem-ur-Rehman, leader of the Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan.
JI supporters protest in Lahore against Israeli attacks on Gaza
Speaking at the rally, Naeem-ur-Rehman strongly criticized what he described as “continued violence against Palestinians,” and urged the international community to break its silence. He also called on Muslim-majority countries to adopt a unified stance in response to the situation in Gaza.
He also expressed concern over reports that social media activity critical of Israeli actions is being monitored, including by the United States.
Peshawar:
In Peshawar, protest rallies were held at multiple locations on Friday to express solidarity with the people of Gaza and to condemn the ongoing violence in the region.
Activists of the Jamaat-i-Islami women’s wing stage ‘Gaza March’ on GT Road, Peshawar
Organized by Jamaat-e-Islami and supported by various civil society groups, the demonstrations featured calls for peace and justice. Participants voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for a boycott of Israeli products as a symbolic gesture of protest.
Islamabad:
On Friday, a Save Gaza March was held in Islamabad’s commercial hub of Aabpara, organized by the Muslim Students’ Front and the Pak Palestine Forum.
The demonstration drew a large number of citizens expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, with participants calling for a boycott of Israeli products and of entities perceived to support Israel.
Speakers also urged the government to reconsider its diplomatic ties, including calls for the expulsion of the US ambassador in response to Washington’s stance on the ongoing conflict. Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a demonstration outside the US Embassy in Islamabad on April 20.
