Latest news with #GazaSolidarityMarch
Business Recorder
27-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Twin cities observe complete shutter down strike
ISLAMABAD: A complete shutter down strike was observed across the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Saturday, as traders and civil society members joined hands to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and protest the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. The strike was held in response to a nationwide call by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and various traders' associations. Almost all major markets and commercial centres remained closed, bringing business activity to a standstill in key areas of both cities. Country-wide shutter-down strike on 22nd: JI holds massive 'Gaza Solidarity March' In Rawalpindi, commercial hubs including Raja Bazaar, Murree Road, and Saddar wore a deserted look, reflecting widespread participation in the protest. In Islamabad, major markets such as Aabpara, Melody, Karachi Company, Super, Jinnah Super Market and Blue Area also remained shut. The medical community, too, showed its support. The Druggists and Chemists Association participated in the strike, resulting in the closure of numerous pharmacies across the twin cities. All Pakistan Traders Association President Ajmal Baloch led a protest demonstration at Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad, where he strongly criticised international silence over the crisis. Baloch called for the resignation of the United Nations Secretary-General, citing failure to act effectively in the face of Israel's brutalities in Gaza. Speaking at a public gathering, Chaudhry, said that the entire Muslim Ummah stands with the people of Palestine. The sacrifices of the people of Gaza have awakened Muslim Ummah, he said. 'Their sacrifices have awakened the Muslim Ummah. In 1948, the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam, had declared that Israel is the illegitimate child of the West and can never be recognized.' He further quoted Pakistan's first Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan's address to the British Congress, stating: 'Our soul is not for sale, our faith is not for sale—and today, the people of Pakistan have proven that once again.' Lashing out at US policies in the Middle East, Chaudhry warned, 'I say to America: stop sponsoring the massacre of Palestinians. Just as Afghanistan became a graveyard for the Soviet Union, the continued oppression in Palestine will lead to America's downfall.' The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), in a statement, emphasised that standing with the oppressed Palestinians is both a moral duty and a humanitarian obligation. They reaffirmed the deep-rooted solidarity of Pakistan's business community with the Palestinian cause. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistani religious parties announce Gaza rally at Lahore's Iconic Minar-e-Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The chief of Pakistan's main religious-political party, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam F (JUI-F), said on Monday the JUI-F and other religious parties would stage a protest rally in solidarity with Palestinians at the iconic Minar-e-Pakistan monument in Lahore on Apr. 27. The move follows a Gaza Solidarity March organized by another religio-political party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), on a main road connecting Islamabad and Rawalpindi last week that was attended by thousands. 'A very big rally will be held at Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on Apr. 27 along with a protest,' JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Monday at a press conference in Lahore alongside JI chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman. 'We all will participate along with other religious parties. We are forming a new platform now by the name of Majlis-e-Ittehad-e-Ummat.' He also said nationwide awareness campaigns would be launched by the platform to boycott Israeli products. Separately, the JI has announced a nationwide strike on Apr. 26 in solidarity with Palestine and urged citizens to boycott brands that support Israel amid its ongoing military offensive in Gaza. Pakistan does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel and has for decades condemned its military actions in Gaza. Islamabad has called for the immediate resumption of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave and a revival of negotiations toward a two-state solution. The country has long supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched its latest military assault on Gaza, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 116,000 injured.
Express Tribune
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
JI announces nationwide strike on 26th over Gaza
Supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami hold Palestinian flags during an anti-Israel protest in Islamabad, expressing solida Listen to article Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday announced a nationwide strike on April 26 in solidarity with ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza. Addressing the Gaza Solidarity March in Islamabad, the JI chief lambasted Muslim rulers for their silence over the genocide in Gaza. He warned that if the rulers did not "wake up" after the JI's million march, "then we will have to do more". The Ji chief also demanded that a Hamas office be opened in Pakistan. "Palestinian children are being slaughtered, our rulers are asleep, but the Ummah is wide awake," the Ji chief asserted. "We are not afraid of bullets or guns," he declared. "Gaza has been turned into a pile of rubble. I tell the rulers to rise and raise your voice against Israel." He urged Muslim rulers to "show some dignity in the face of oppression". Referring to the carnage in Gaza, he lamented that 50 bodies were being buried every 48 hours. "The success of Gaza is the success of the oppressed across the world," he added, calling on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to play its role. However, he clarified that JI does not want confrontation with the police. "When we announce a march, no containers can block our way." He pointed out that religious scholars have issued a fatwa that jihad was obligatory under current circumstances. "Our rulers are asleep. We had said we would march toward the American embassy, but the ruling elite is afraid of Israel and the United States. They sealed all of Islamabad." Earlier in anticipation of the march, authorities ramped up security across the capital, sealing all roads leading to Islamabad's Red Zone. However, after negotiations between JI and the government, authorities allowed the protest march and rally to take place on Islamabad Highway near the I-8 Bridge. The religio-political party had announced plans to march to the US embassy on April 20 to denounce Washington's backing of Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Earlier this month, JI also staged large-scale demonstrations in Karachi, Lahore and several other cities to protest Israel's renewed assault on Gaza. The party has also called for a nationwide strike on April 26 against the ongoing war. Addressing Sunday's march, the JI chief said the US was "a murderous state, backing Israel in its genocide". "We will strike on April 26 and announce our future strategy on April 27," he told the attendees. Calling on political unity, he said, "the people of Palestine have a bond with our kalima. I warn the rulers, don't even think of forging ties with Israel". "Israel has occupied Palestinian land. In the US, youth are rising against their rulers. Meanwhile, neither the government nor the opposition in Pakistan is doing anything. When it comes to personal interests, even PTI and PML-N ally in Tharparkar. They negotiate with the establishment when they want something for themselves. They manage to secure pay raises but won't even condemn the US." Urging all political parties to unite on the issue of Kashmir and Palestine, he said the Palestinian crisis was not just a religious matter but a humanitarian one. "Children are being martyred. Hamas has ensured the safety of hostages, but Israel continues its barbarism against Palestinians in custody. Jihad is obligatory upon Muslims." "We will boycott. We will wage jihad on social media. But our rulers don't let us fight jihad," he lamented. "If we truly care for Palestinians, we can give up our favorite foods and drinks", he added, referring to boycott of products directly or indirectly benefiting Israeli economy and aggression.
Arab News
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistani religio-political party relocates pro-Gaza march after Red Zone sealed in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: A popular Pakistani religio-political party shifted its Gaza Solidarity March from outside the United States embassy to Expressway between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, its spokesperson confirmed Sunday, after authorities sealed all routes to the Red Zone in the federal capital that houses embassies and sensitive government buildings. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced to organize the march toward the US diplomatic mission in Islamabad during its recent rallies in Karachi, Lahore and other Pakistani cities to protest Washington's support for Israel's military campaign in Gaza. The party has also given a call for a nationwide strike against Israel's war on April 22. 'JI will now hold the Gaza March on Islamabad Expressway near Zero Point, where a stage will be set up at the H-8 overhead bridge, and the party chief, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, along with other central leaders, will address the gathering,' Aamir Baloch, the JI spokesperson for foreign media, said in a statement. He promised 'a sea of people' in Islamabad as the march to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza proceeded. 'We urge the government to refrain from underhand tactics and ensure all routes remain open,' he told Arab News in response to a question about road closures across Islamabad. The Islamabad administration issued a traffic advisory earlier in the day, saying all roads to the Red Zone had been closed except for two entry points. 'Containers are placed at all major Red Zone access points, including D-Chowk,' the administration said in a statement. 'Only Margalla Road and Bari Imam gates are open.' Responding to these developments, the JI general secretary, Amirul Azeem, said in a video message his party's march would remain peaceful like its recent demonstrations in other parts of the country. 'The government of Pakistan has decided to stop this march,' he said. 'I request the people of Pakistan to actively participate in it.' Pakistan does not maintain diplomatic ties with Israel and has consistently condemned its military actions in Gaza, particularly the killing of thousands of unarmed Palestinian women and children. Islamabad has also urged the resumption of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory and called for renewed negotiations aimed at a two-state solution. It has long supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. Since October 7, 2023, Israel's military offensive in Gaza has killed over 51,000 people and injured more than 116,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Express Tribune
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Jamaat-e-Islami's Gaza march: High security alert in Islamabad, red zone sealed
Listen to article Security in Islamabad was increased on Sunday as authorities sealed all roads leading to the Red Zone ahead of a planned "Gaza Solidarity March" by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). JI had earlier announced a march toward the US Embassy in the capital to protest Washington's support for Israel's military actions in Gaza. The march, scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM, prompted authorities to deploy heavy police presence and block three main entry points to the Red Zone using containers, barbed wire, and concrete barriers. JI General Secretary Amirul Azeem confirmed the protest in a video message, urging citizens from all walks of life to participate. He emphasised the peaceful nature of the demonstration, citing the party's recent rallies in Karachi and Lahore. Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami announced a nationwide shutter-down strike on April 22 to express solidarity with the people of Gaza amid Israel's ongoing offensive. The announcement was made by JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman while addressing a large gathering during the 'Palestine March' held in Karachi on Sunday. Pakistan has consistently condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza and has called for an immediate ceasefire, the resumption of humanitarian aid, and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
