QUETTA/DERA MURAD JAMALI: After the Balochistan government decided to express solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians, several demonstrations and rallies were taken out across the province on Monday.

People carrying placards and banners inscribed with anti-Israel slogans took part in the rallies to condemn bombardment by the Zionist regime on the refugees camps in Gaza.

They gathered at Serena Chowk holding the flag of Palestine.

Religious scholar and leader Dr Ata-ur-Rehman and many officials, including assistant commissioner Sardar Humaira Baloch were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rehman strongly condemned the Israeli aggression against unarmed Palestinians and said that the Zionist regime was committing a big crime at the behest of the United States which was blocking resolutions in the UN Security Council against Israeli aggression.

He expressed serious concern over the silence of the Muslim world and Western countries and said that they were supporting Israeli action against Palestinians by not raising their voice against these inhuman acts.

Dr Rehman urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to convene an emergency conference of Islamic countries and announce Jihad against Israel. He said all Islamic countries should adopt a joint stand and extend all help and cooperation to the Palestinians who were facing a very hard time.

Other speakers asked the federal government to take practical steps to help Palestinians.

A protest rally was taken out in Dera Murad Jamali to express solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Hundreds of people gathered in the headquarters of Nasirabad district carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the Israeli government and its leadership. They marched through various roads of the town.

Led by tribal elder Dr Ishaq Bugti and Haroon Rasheed participants of the rally chanted slogans against Israeli government.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Bugti and Mr Rasheed condemned the Israeli aggression against Palestinian refugees and firing on worshippers who were going to perform Eid prayers. They regretted that with air strikes at Gaza city a large number of Palestinian refugees were martyred but the Muslim Ummah was playing the role of a silent spectator by not taking any action against Israel.

They urged Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi to take up the issue at all international forums. They said that it was the responsibility of all civilised nations to condemn the Israeli government for its aggression against innocent Palestinians.

Rallies were also held in Jaffar­abad, Khuzdar, Jhal Magsi, Sibi, Kalat, Loralai, Pishin and other towns and cities of the province.

Similar demonstrations were also held in Dalbandin, Nushki and Kharan.

A rally, which started from the Government Central Boys High School, ended outside the Dalbandin Press Club after marching on roads.

Dalbandin Assistant Commissioner Javed Domki and District Police Officer Anwar Badini led the rally.

Another rally was taken out from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Nushki.

Additional Commissioner Rak­h­shan Division Badal Dashti led a rally in Kharan which commenced from the DC office and concluded at Chief Chowk Kharan.

The participants and speakers chanted slogans against Israeli atrocities in Gaza and asked the global community to play their role in stopping aggression against innocent and hapless Palestinian people.

Ali Raza Rind in Chagai also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2021