ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday announced his government’s move to ban New Year celebrations in solidarity with the people of Palestine, as Israel continues its relentless military campaign in Gaza.
Israel has killed over 21,000 Palestinians in Gaza since Oct. 7, according to official figures from the Gaza Health Ministry. Israel’s air and ground attacks have drawn sharp criticism from Muslim countries around the world, including Pakistan, and increased calls for an immediate cease-fire.
In an exclusive video message, Pakistan’s prime minister condemned Israel’s actions in Palestine, saying that Islamabad had repeatedly called for a cease-fire in the Middle East.
“Keeping in mind the extremely concerning situation in Palestine, and to express solidarity with our oppressed Palestinian brethren, there will be a complete ban by the government of Pakistan on any functions related to New Year,” Kakar said.
He urged the masses to express solidarity with the people of Palestine by welcoming the new year with simplicity.
Kakar said Pakistan has already sent two consignments of aid to Gaza and that a third would soon be sent as well.
Gaza’s spiraling humanitarian crisis has amplified calls for an end to the hostilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed to keep up the campaign to destroy Hamas.
Gaza’s 2.4 million people have suffered severe shortages of water, food, fuel and medicines, with only limited aid entering the territory.
An estimated 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced, the UN says.
Pakistan bans New Year celebrations in solidarity with Palestine
https://arab.news/m2rxa
Pakistan bans New Year celebrations in solidarity with Palestine
- Prime Minister Kakar urges Pakistanis to welcome new year with simplicity in solidarity with Gaza
- Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the killing of over 21,000 Palestinians
Protesters try to attack driver after truck speeds through anti-Iran demonstration in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with marchers demonstrating in support of the Iranian people, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver.
The U-Haul truck, with its side mirrors shattered, was stopped several blocks away and surrounded by police cars. ABC7 news helicopter footage showed officers keeping the crowd at bay as demonstrators swarmed the truck, throwing punches at the driver and thrusting flagpoles through the driver’s side window.
The police department confirmed its officers were on the scene but didn’t immediately say if anyone was arrested.
Two people were evaluated by paramedics and both declined treatment, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Several hundred people had gathered Sunday afternoon in the Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian theocracy. The LA police department eventually issued a dispersal order, and by 5 p.m. only about a hundred protesters were still at the scene, ABC7 reported.
Activists say a crackdown on nationwide protests in Iran has killed more than 530 people. Protesters flooded the streets in Iran’s capital of Tehran and its second-largest city again Sunday.
