KARACHI: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) on Wednesday claimed that the local administration of Karachi had not yet granted it permission to organize an anti-Israel rally planned today [Thursday] near Mazar-i-Quaid.

The spokesman of the party, however, vowed that the JUI-F would take out rally and didn’t want any “clash” with the administration.

“It would be a peaceful rally which is a legal and democratic right of the party,” he said. “The rally would start at 4pm from Mazar-i-Quaid and march on New M.A. Jinnah Road. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman would address the rally.”

He said the party had submitted a request for a no-objection certificate (NOC) on January 12 seeking permission from the office of deputy commissioner East. However, he said, it had not received any response from the DC office.

“The rally was announced earlier this month to condemn Israel and any potential move to establish diplomatic relations with Tel Aviv,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2021