ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has strongly denounced Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza and announced a countrywide strike on April 26. JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman made the announcement during a large-scale “Palestine Solidarity March” in Islamabad on Sunday, calling on the public to boycott products linked to Israeli funding.
Speaking to supporters on the Islamabad Expressway, Rehman said the strike would span the entire country — “from Chitral to Karachi” — and be part of a broader campaign involving protests, boycotts, and social media advocacy. He urged people to stand with Palestinians and reject U.S. and Israeli influence.
Over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in response to the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Much of Gaza’s infrastructure, including hospitals and housing, has been devastated.
Rehman called for Pakistan to officially recognize Hamas and allow it to open an office in the country, arguing that Hamas is a legitimate, democratically elected force. He criticized both the Pakistani government and opposition for failing to strongly condemn Israel or support the Palestinian cause.
He also framed the crisis as not just a humanitarian issue, but one rooted in faith, asserting that Israel’s actions—including the alleged long-term imprisonment of Palestinian children—stood in contrast to Hamas’s treatment of captives, which he praised.
Protest Route and Security Measures
JI initially planned to protest outside the U.S. Embassy in the Red Zone, but after negotiations with Islamabad authorities, the march was redirected to the Expressway near Zero Point to avoid security disruptions. A stage was set up at the H8 Overhead Bridge for JI leadership to address the crowd.
Security was significantly heightened in Islamabad due to the protest and the visit of UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Traffic on several key roads, including Express Highway, was temporarily disrupted. Islamabad Police issued alternate routes and traffic advisories to ease movement across the city.
Despite heavy rain and roadblocks, demonstrators gathered at Zero Point, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against Israel and the U.S. According to JI, people from various sectors — lawyers, doctors, teachers, and traders — participated in the protest.
Background and Broader Movement
Last week, similar rallies were held in Karachi, where thousands came out in support of Palestinians. JI has been actively organizing solidarity events across the country, criticizing both local and international silence on what it describes as genocide in Gaza.
