KARACHI: A prominent Pakistani religio-political party held pro-Palestine protests outside the American diplomatic missions in major cities on Friday, condemning Washington’s support for Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza.
Israeli airstrikes have killed over 500 Palestinians, with more than half of them women and children, since Tuesday, according to Palestinian health authorities in Gaza.
The renewed escalation is a blow to the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on Jan. 15, following more than a year of Israeli airstrikes that flattened much of Gaza’s infrastructure, including schools, hospitals and residential neighborhoods.
Around 48,000 Palestinians in Gaza were killed during the 15-month war that began in October 2023.
Reacting to the development, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan decided to bring out pro-Palestine rallies, with its chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rahman addressing his followers in Lahore to highlight the gravity of the situation.
“People are on the streets showing solidarity with their Palestinian brothers, sisters and children,” he said. “This is the month of Ramadan, and the calamity happening during this month is a shameful reality for humanity.”
Members and activists of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party take part in a protest to express their solidarity with the Palestinians, in Lahore on March 21, 2025. (AFP)
Rahman condemned the “relentless bombardment” in Gaza that has led to the death of hundreds of people and caused widespread destruction in the area.
“If there is any power behind Israel’s terrorism and the genocide of Palestinians, it is the power of America,” he said. “This is why America is complicit in the bloodshed of Palestinians, supporting Israel and Netanyahu.”
He criticized the international community’s inaction and the perceived complacency of Muslim rulers, questioning the silence of their armies and the continuation of trade with the US and Israel.
“All these people share equal responsibility for the blood of Palestinians,” he declared.
Members and activists of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party hold posters as they take part in a protest to express their solidarity with the Palestinians, in Peshawar on March 21, 2025. (AFP)
The JI chief demanded the government to clarify how a group of Pakistani journalists recently managed to travel to Israel.
“Reports are circulating on social media about Pakistani journalists traveling to Israel,” he said. “The government should present its stance on this matter. If a deal is made with the Zionists and the blood of Palestinians traded, the nation will turn these rulers into an example for others.”
Pakistan does not recognize Israel and explicitly states this on its passport. The foreign office said this week it was seeking more information about the reported visit of the Pakistani delegation while ruling out any possibility of recognizing Israel.
Activists of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party hold a banner as they take part in a protest to express their solidarity with the Palestinians, in Islamabad on March 21, 2025. (AFP)
In Karachi, JI’s city head, Munim Zafar Khan, led a protest outside the US Consulate, where he reiterated the importance of protecting Jerusalem by framing it as a matter of faith.
“The people of Gaza remain steadfast despite the devastation Israel has inflicted upon them,” he said. “With faith in Allah and perseverance, no worldly power can defeat you.”
Khan echoed Rahman’s criticism of Muslim rulers, accusing them of being “meek before America” and failing to protect the Palestinian people.
He also praised young people around the world for showing solidarity with Palestine and highlighted the resilience of the Gazan people, who are observing Ramadan under dire conditions.
