Pakistan rallies for Gaza across cities
Thousands of Pakistanis have taken to the streets of Islamabad and other major cities to express their solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Protesters, gathered along Islamabad’s expressway and other public spaces, waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans condemning Israeli military operations. The demonstration in the capital saw symbols of loss, including pillows dyed red to represent the bodies of those killed by Israeli air strikes in Gaza.
Political leaders, including Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan deputy leader Mian Aslam, condemned Israeli actions, with Aslam asserting that “Palestine belongs to the Palestinians” and labeling Israel as an illegitimate state. Similarly, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman decreed what he described as Israel’s “genocidal war” and called for increased international pressure to halt the violence.
The protests come in the wake of Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered a severe Israeli military offensive resulting in the deaths of over 50,900 Palestinians according to local health authorities. Amid mounting calls for a ceasefire, much of Gaza remains in ruins with a large portion of its population displaced by the ongoing conflict.
In Islamabad, the rally was organized following an agreement with city authorities to hold the demonstration away from the high-security Red Zone near the U.S. Embassy. Similar public demonstrations have been reported in Karachi, where protesters marched toward the U.S. Consulate to denounce not only Israeli airstrikes but also perceived U.S. support for Israel.
Widespread public sentiment in Pakistan has also spurred authorities to implement heightened security measures, especially around Western-affiliated businesses. In recent weeks, authorities have reported over 170 arrests related to anti-U.S. demonstrations, with several incidents involving attacks on fast-food outlets in cities such as Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. Furthermore, Jamaat-e-Islami announced plans for a nationwide strike on April 26 as part of continuing protests against Israeli actions in Gaza.
