KARACHI: People across the city took out processions, staged rallies, organised conferences and held seminars on Monday to express solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemn Israeli brutalities in Gaza, marking one year of the ongoing aggression by the Zionist regime.

In the Sindh Assembly, provincial legislators led by Speaker Awais Qadir Shah came out to express solidarity with Palestine and its people.

Flanked by fellow MPAs, he addressed the media outside the assembly and said that despite all political and ideological differences, political parties across Pakistan stood firm with the Palestine cause.

At Power House Chowrangi in North Karachi, the Jamaat-i-Islami organised a rally which was addressed by its Karachi chief, Monem Zafar, who said that the entire country was expressing solidarity with the Palestinians. He said that on October 7, 2023, freedom fighters belonging to Hamas and other organisations shattered the Israeli impression that it was undefeatable.

Schoolchildren, women hold separate marches to express solidarity with people of war-ravaged Palestine

He added that the Israeli regime has so far killed almost 45,000 innocent Palestinians, mainly women, children and unarmed civilians to take revenge of its defeat and humiliation by the freedom fighters.

At the University of Karachi, the Islami Jamiat Talaba also organised a Palestine Solidarity Walk.

Journalists’ protest

A large number of journalists marched from the Karachi Press Club to Governor House, condemning Israeli atrocities in Gaza in which dozens of journalists have been killed in a month-long bombing.

The march, organised by the city’s media fraternity and supported by journalist bodies, including Karachi Union of Journalists, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and Karachi Press Club, asked the United Nations and human rights organisations to play their role in stopping Israel from the ongoing barbarism.

They also called for a UN commission to investigate the killings of journalists covering the war-hit area.

In his speech, KPC Secretary Shoaib Ahmed lauded the “incredible bravery” shown by Palestinian journalists providing coverage amid heavy Israeli bombardment. “The media workers in Palestine have become role models for journalists across the world. Apart from other crimes, the UN should hold Israel responsible for the killings of journalists covering the war-hit area,” he added.

Schoolchildren stage rally

The Markazi Muslim League staged a rally on Shahrah-i-Quaideen that was mainly organised for schoolchildren.

A larger number of schoolchildren carrying Palestinian flags and posters of Hamas leaders participated in the rally which was later addressed by the leaders the party.

Similarly, the Jamiat Ahl-i-Hadees staged a “National Palestine Conference” on Shahrah-i-Quaideen. It was attended by a large number of people. In their addresses, the leaders said that it is a misconception that Israel would reconsider its approach towards Islam and the Muslims after the Islamic countries reviewed their policies towards the Zionist regime.

Women hold march

Hundreds of women and children also walked from Numaish intersection to Tibet Centre on main M. A. Jinnah Road in a rally organised by Tehreek-e-Bedari-e-Ummat-e-Mustafa. Carrying placards and banners, and chanting slogans to condemn the Israeli brutalities, they called for unity of the Muslim countries.

The Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen organised a rally in solidarity with Palestine and the defence of Gaza and held a candlelit vigil on Numaish intersection.

The leaders said that Israel’s actions are based on its ideology which is against Islam and the Muslims. They called it a part of the Zionist ideology which doesn’t even consider Palestinians humans.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2024