Islamabad (Web Desk): Thousands took part in rallies in several parts of the country on Friday express solidarity with Palestinian people and to protest Israel’s siege and fierce bombing on the Gaza Strip, demanding an end to the oppression.
Pakistanis from all walks of life held rallies in major citiies including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Punjab. The demonstrators raised Palestinian flags and held posters that said ‘From land to the sea, Palestine will be free’ and ‘Stand in solidarity with Palestine’.
The Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen held a rally Islamab. The demonstrators held banners that said ‘No compromise on Gaza’ and ‘Stop genocide of Palestinians’.
A number of PTI protesters also took to the streets. However, the party claimed they were arrested by the police.
In Lahore, a huge rally was held at Mall Road by the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan, with scores of women and children in attendance. The protesters carried a giant flag of Palestine.
Addressing the gathering, JI Emir Sirajul Haq criticised the US and European countries for supporting Israel in its oppression of Palestinians. He demanded that Muslim countries should come together for the Palestinian cause.
"Raising our voices for Palestinians is the responsibility of Muslims and a part of their faith," he added.
Several protests were held in Karachi after Friday prayers to express solidarity with Palestinians.
More than 200 supporters of the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) gathered in the Kharadar area. They demanded that the atrocities being faced by the people of Gaza at the hands of Israel should immediately come to an end.
In a statement earlier, it said the protest was “against the massacre of the oppressed Palestinian people and the Zionist occupation of the Palestine land”.
Separately, the JI held a solidarity walk from the Maripur Road. The demonstrators would cross Keamari Road and finally conclude the rally outside Bilawal House.
n Malir, JUI-F supporters took to the streets. The party demanded that Muslim world leaders should “break the chains of silence” and speak up for their brothers and sisters, according to a statement.
Meanwhile, in KP, protest rallies were also held in the Malakand and Hazara divisions against Israeli atrocities in Gaza Palestine.
The Karakoram Highway was blocked in Kohistan and a rally was staged against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The protesters demanded that the United Nations stop the genocide of Palestinians. A bike rally was also held in Parachinar.
Meanwhile, PTI supporters gathered in Kohat, Peshawar, Hangu and several other cities after the party decided to mark today as “Palestine Solidarity Day”.
In Quetta, a rally was organised by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F). During the demonstration, protesters condemned Israel’s “brutal oppression” of the Palestinian people and also burned an Israeli flag.