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  • As anger mounts, #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa becomes top trend on Pakistani Twitter 


As anger mounts, #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa becomes top trend on Pakistani Twitter 

Activists of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) shout slogans in Rawalpindi on May 11, 2021. (AFP)
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Updated 11 May 2021
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As anger mounts, #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa becomes top trend on Pakistani Twitter 

  • Netizens demand justice for community days after violent attacks and forced evictions by Israeli troops 
  • Follows separate incidents of violence against Palestinians over the weekend 
Updated 11 May 2021
Sabah Bano Malik

RAWALPINDI: Several prominent Pakistanis, including the country’s top leadership, turned to social media demanding justice for Palestinians and urging the international community to address ongoing atrocities by Israeli troops with #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa becoming the top trend on Twitter in Pakistan amassing 1.13 million tweets on Tuesday.
Tensions escalated in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem over the weekend after Israeli forces tried to evict an entire Palestinian community and hand over their properties to ultra-extreme Jewish settlers.
More than 90 Palestinians were injured during the Israeli police crackdown on Palestinian protesters on Saturday, while 200 were wounded on Friday after Israeli forces attacked tens of thousands of worshippers praying inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of the oldest and holiest sites of Islam.
Videos of both incidents have since gone viral on social media, prompting reactions from all over the world, including Pakistan.
“The violence in Jerusalem – especially against children – is unbearable. This long conflict has cost many children their lives and their futures. Leaders must act immediately – there is no peace when children and civilians are not safe,” Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel laureate and human rights activist, said in a Twitter post.

Pakistan President Dr. Arif Alvi termed the incident as “Israeli apartheid” and a “shame,” calling out the incident on his personal Twitter account: “It is a shame that Israeli apartheid against Palestinians continues. Atrocious attack on peaceful praying Muslims is given the usual media spin of ‘clashes’.”
“My brothers don’t lose hope,” he added.

Prime Minister Imran Khan also condemned the attack before reaffirming Pakistan’s continued support for Palestine.
“Strongly condemn Israeli Forces’ attack esp during Ramazan on Palestinians in Qibla-e-Awaal, Al-Aqsa Mosque, violating all norms of humanity & int law. We reiterate support for Palestinian ppl. Int community must take immed action to protect Palestinians & their legitimate rights,” he said.

In a strongly worded Twitter post, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari condemned the “Israeli state terrorism against Muslims praying in Al Aqsa mosque.”
“Earlier this Ramazan Israeli security forces had forced their way to Mosque’s minarets & stopped Azaan. Then they prevented Palestinians from traditional Iftar in the courtyard of the mosque. Now, this,” she added.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi echoed Mazari’s sentiments, adding: “Condemn in strongest terms attack on innocent worshippers in Al-Aqsa Mosque, first Qibla of Islam, by Israeli Occupation Forces in the holy month of Ramzan. Such brutality is against very spirit of humanity & human rights law. Pakistan stands steadfast in support of Palestinian cause.”

Meanwhile, prominent journalist Nadeem Farooq Paracha tweeted a photo of the Palestinian flag to his more than 600,000 followers, summing it up with: “That’s it. That’s the tweet. #Palestineforever”

Singer Asim Azhar also voiced opposition to the Israeli attacks on “defenseless worshippers,” adding: “I am sickened & disgusted. How can you attack a place of a worship & attack defenseless worshippers? And yet again, the world will stay silent on Israel’s continuous oppression on Palestine. Ya Allah reham! #IsraeliAttackonAlAqsa #PalestiniansLivesMatter”

Singer and actor Farhan Saeed also expressed his frustration at the “lack of action” from the world, as more videos from Palestine poured out on social media.
“The world’s deafening silence is criminal! How can the international community sit back and watch this happen? This IS terrorism!!”

Topics: Pakistan Palestine Gaza Jeusalem Israel Al Aqsa Mosque

Pakistan urges concessional finance for developing nations to boost clean energy security

Updated 11 January 2026
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Pakistan urges concessional finance for developing nations to boost clean energy security

  • Pakistan has emerged as one of world’s fastest growing solar markets, with 12GWs of off-grid and 6GWs of net-metered capacity in 2025
  • PM’s aide says Islamabad remains committed to Paris Agreement, looks for continued support in building a resilient and low-carbon future
Updated 11 January 2026
KASHIF IMRAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged international partners to scale up concessional financing for developing countries, the country’s Press Information Department (PID) said on Sunday, citing an aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The call was made by Sharif’s coordinator on climate change, Romina Khurshid Alam, while delivering Pakistan’s national statement at the 16th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing solar markets, with 12 gigawatts (GWs) of off-grid and over 6GWs of net-metered solar capacity by the end of 2025. Last fiscal year, renewables accounted for a historic 53 percent of total electricity generation, according to Alam.

The prime minister’s aide stressed that affordable funding for developing nations is critical to accelerating their transition to clean energy and strengthening energy security amid rising climate and economic challenges.

“Alam reaffirmed Pakistan’s target of achieving 60 percent renewables in the power mix by 2030,” the PID said in a statement.

“In her call to action, she urged IRENA and Member States to increase concessional finance for developing nations, treat technologies such as energy storage and green hydrogen as global public goods, and strengthen regional cooperation for shared energy security.”

IRENA is a global intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, supports countries in their energy transition, and provides state of the art data and analyzes on technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment. Its membership comprises 170 countries and the European Union (EU).

The 16th session of the IRENA Assembly is taking place on Jan. 10-12 in Abu Dhabi and focuses on the theme of “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity.” The session has gathered global leaders and energy decision-makers to discuss strategies and underline necessary actions for the acceleration of renewable energy across countries, regions, and the world, driving economic inclusion, equity, and human well-being.

Alam shared that Pakistan is taking action against energy poverty through initiatives like the Punjab Solar Panel Scheme 2026, which provides free or subsidized systems to low-income households.

She highlighted how distributed solar kits have restored power and livelihoods in flood-affected communities and offer a replicable model for climate-resilient recovery.

“Pakistan remains fully committed to the Paris Agreement and looks to IRENA for continued technical and financial support in building a resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon future,” Alam said.

Adopted in 2015 to combat climate change, the Paris Agreement binds nations to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”

Topics: Pakistan

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