LAHORE: Associations representing different institutions took out rallies on Friday to express solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn terrorism and war crimes committed by Israel.

Speaking to a rally by the Punjab University administration and Academic Staff Association at the campus, Vice Chancellor Niaz Ahmed said the success of the ceasefire belonged to the valor of the Palestinians, not to the United Nations as it could not even condemn Israel over killings of the innocent civilians. He said the UN had failed to handle the recent crisis as its Security Council met four times but failed to condemn the small country involved in terrorism. Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, who led a solidarity walk organised by the district administration at Liberty Chowk, said that Pakistan was firmly standing with the oppressed people of Palestine.

DC Mudassar Riaz Malik and people from different walks of life also attended the walk. The special assistant condemned the continuous silence of western media and said that Israel had destroyed the building housing the media outlets offices in Gaza but international media intentionally ignored this act aimed at silencing the war crimes.

Members of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) staged a rally at GPO Chowk. Bar president Maqsood Buttar demanded the international peace forums to take notice of the human rights violations in Palestine.

Several parties, including PTI, JI and groups also held demonstrations.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2021