HYDERABAD/LARKANA: Like other parts of the country, members of civil society, political and rights activists and students gathered in Hyderabad and other cities and towns across the province to denounce Indian aggression in Pakistani cities.

They organised rallies and demonstration to show solidarity with the armed forces of the country and praise them on defending the motherland.

In Hyderabad, activists belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan brought out a procession, which was led by the party’s leader of opposition in Sindh Assembly, Ali Khurhsidi.

The rally, which was also attended by traders and shopkeepers started from Tilak Incline and culminated at Kohinoor Chowk.

Khurshidi said that Indian attack on Pakistan’s integrity had brought together the nation and this rally was in fact not only MQM’s but a reflection of peoples’ support for army.

The party’s deputy parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly, Taha Ahmed, said that the rally represented peoples’ sentiments against India. India must remember that despite political differences all these people were one nation against their enemy, he said.

MNA Syed Wasim Hussain said that those who were not supporting army now were traitors.

The party’s Sindh Assembly members Nasir Qureshi and Rashid Khan paid glowing tributes to army for effectively responding to Indian army’s aggression.

At a press conference at local press club, Fr Shahzad Khokhar, director of Interfaith Dialogue Hyderabad diocese along with leaders of other religious minorities condemned Indian aggression and said religious minorities stood by Pakistan army.

Panah Panhiyar, a representative of Meri Pahchan Pakistan formed by former Sindh governor Ishratul Ebad Khan, supported army and said all citizens were ready to join Pakistan’s forces at the Line of Control.

In Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot districts, administration officers and local chapters of political parties held rallies to express solidarity with Pakistan Army.

Larkana Deputy Commissioner Wajahat Ghafoor Mirani and District Education Officer (Primary) Anees-ur-Rehman led a rally in which government officials and school children took part in large numbers.

The rally converged on local press club where the DC other officers made speeches and condemned the India aggression. They praised Pakistan Air Force for effectively repulsing the strike.

Workers of Pakistan Markazi Muslim League also staged a rally at the local press club. Similar processions and rallies were held in Qambar, Sujawal Junejo and Ratodero towns.

Pakistan Peoples Party-Workers president Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi and Ms Naheed Khan, former political assistant to slain premier Benazir Bhutto, condemned the cowardly Indian attack.

They said in a statement that international community must hold India accountable for its actions and work towards de-escalating tensions in the region. “Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but our desire for peace must not be mistaken for weakness,” they said.

In Dadu, a large rally started from DC’s office and concluded at local press club. Led by DC Syed Murtaza Ali Shah, the rally drew crowds from general public, who voiced their anger over cowardly Indian attacks on civilians.

SSP retired Captain Amir Saud Magsi, also joined the rally, and said: “The Pakistani nation stands like a rock with its military.”

The rally participants included journalists, lawyers, teachers, students, traders, members of civil society and officials from various government departments.

The DC urged international community to take notice of Indian aggression and stressed that “Pakistan’s military is guarantee of our security.”

Sindh University, Jamshoro, organised a procession, which was led by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman Khoumbati, Pro-VC Prof Dr Abdul Sattar Shah, PVC Thatta Campus Prof Dr Misbah Bibi Qureshi, Registrar Prof Dr Mushtaque Ali Jariko and faculty members.

The VC said that Pakistan was a proud nuclear power and no external force could defeat the country. Modi government, along with its allies in RSS and BJP was not just a threat to Pakistan, but to peace and stability of the entire region, he said.

He said that India’s cowardly actions against Pakistan were part of a larger agenda to destabilise the country. “The people of Pakistan are resilient and we will not be intimidated by any aggressor,” he said.

The rally concluded with participants vowing to continue their support for the Pakistani armed forces and their unwavering commitment to defend the nation’s peace and security.

In Nawabshah, Sanghar and Naushahro Feroze, PPP, Sunni Council, Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, Tahaffuz-i-Pakistan Movement, trade unions and different government departments staged processions, which passed thorough different roads before culminating outside local press clubs.

Qurban Ali Khushik in Dadu and Zulfiqar Memon in Nawabshah also contributed to this report.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2025