KARACHI: A large number of healthcare professionals representing 17 medical and welfare organisations organised a Palestine solidarity walk at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) on Saturday morning.

They called upon the United Nations and the global community to take immediate steps to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza and restore its medical and humanitarian aid.

The participants carried banners and placards inscribed with slogans such as “Heal Humanity,” “Doctors for Gaza,” and “Open Humanitarian Corridors.”

A symbolic “Wall of Solidarity” was also installed during the walk, where attendees inscribed heartfelt messages for the people of Gaza, including “Long Live Palestine,” “Free Gaza,” and “Human Rights Must Be Protected.”

Prominent figures from the medical and humanitarian sectors addressed the gathering.

Key speakers included Dr Atif Hafeez Siddiqui, Dr Syed Ahmer Hamid Dr Saqib Hussain Ansari, Dr Zeeshan Hussain Ansari, Dr Saad Khalid Niaz, Dr Shoaib Subhani, Prof Nasir Saleem, Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, JI-Karachi chief Monem Zafar and Mr Naveed Baig.

Healthcare professionals representing Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA)emphasised that the walk aimed to raise alarm over the escalating atrocities in Gaza, urging the international community to wake up and take notice of the genocide, famine and mass displacement.

They affirmed that the Pakistani healthcare community stands with humanity and demands an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.

During the event, Dr Abdul Malik presented a joint resolution, which was unanimously endorsed by all participating organisations.

It calls upon the UN and the global community to take immediate and practical steps to enforce a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Israel must allow an immediate and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, including medicines, food, and medical supplies to Gaza. An international emergency fund must be established for the restoration of destroyed healthcare infrastructure.

“Attacks on medical facilities should be recognised as war crimes, and legal proceedings should be initiated against Israel in international courts,” it says.

The resolution emphasised that the ongoing violence in Gaza cannot be justified by any religion, law, morality, or logic and that immediate ceasefire is the only viable path to ending this humanitarian catastrophe.

The walk was organised by Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) and the participating bodies included Alkhidmat Foundation, Pakistan Medical Association, Pakistan Dental Association, Pakistan Cardiac Society, Pakistan Hypertension League, Imamia Medics International, Internatio­nal Radiology Society of Pakistan, Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation, Orthopaedic Society of Pakistan, Pakistan Paediatric Association, Pakistan Society of Gastroentero­logy, Pakis­tan Society of Nephrology, Primary Care and Diabetes Association Pakistan, Society of Surgeons Pakistan, Young Doctors Association, Young Nurses Association, People’s Paramedics Association and other bodies.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2025