KARACHI: A prominent Pakistani religio-political party on Sunday announced a nationwide strike for April 22 in solidarity with Palestinians, warning that history would not forgive the Muslim world’s leaders if they allowed Israel to continue its deadly campaign in Gaza.
Thousands of supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) participated in the “Gaza Solidarity March” in Karachi, days after similar demonstrations were held in Lahore and other major Pakistani cities.
Women, children, senior citizens and representatives of various professions joined the rally, which also featured harsh criticism of the United States for its support of Israel.
Addressing the gathering, JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman delivered a strongly worded speech urging the Pakistani government and other Muslim-majority countries to take concrete steps to stop the “genocide” in Gaza.
“History won’t forgive you otherwise,” he said, warning Muslim leaders that Israel would also turn its weapons toward them.
Rehman accused the United Nations of irrelevance and described it as a body that “passes useless resolutions and statements.”
He announced the April 22 protest, calling on Pakistanis to observe “a countrywide shutdown” to express solidarity with Gaza.
Participants at the rally carried placards, chanted slogans against Israeli military operations and criticized Western governments and corporations. They also encouraged an economic boycott of Western products during the protest.
Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, has frequently criticized the Jewish state for its military operations in Gaza. Islamabad has also called for the resumption of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory and the need for a revival of negotiations leading to a two-state solution.
Islamabad consistently calls for an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s military offensives in Gaza have killed over 50,000 people and wounded over 116,000, as per the Gaza Health Ministry.
Pakistani religio-political party announces nationwide strike over Gaza on April 22
https://arab.news/96pvm
Pakistani religio-political party announces nationwide strike over Gaza on April 22
- Thousands of Jamaat-e-Islami supporters participated in the ‘Gaza Solidarity March’ in Karachi
- The JI chief warned ‘history won’t forgive’ Muslim rulers if they let Israel continue its war in Gaza
Pakistani immigration agents express concern over US visa ban
- Trump’s administration is suspending immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries
- The pause will begin on January 21, a State Department spokesperson said this week
Pakistani immigration agents and members of the public expressed concern to US immigration ban on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump’s administration is suspending processing for immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday, as part of Washington’s intensifying immigration crackdown.
The pause, which will impact applicants from Latin American countries including Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay, Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Albania, South Asian countries Pakistan and Bangladesh, and those from many nations in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, will begin on January 21, the spokesperson said.
“It is a matter of concern,” said travel and immigration agent, Mohammad Yaseen, in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city.
“All these people who were waiting for a long time for their visas to be issued, they also had an appointment date, their visas would be suspended. They will be affected by this news and this ban,” he added.
A local resident and banker, Amar Ali, said the ban will economically dent Pakistan because many Pakistanis earn and send dollars back home which boosts its economy.
Another local resident, Anwer Farooqui, urged President Trump to reconsider this decision and keep Pakistan, which is a very reliable friend of the United States, at the same level.
The cable, sent to US missions, said there were indications that nationals from these countries had sought public benefits in the United States.
The move, which was first reported by Fox News, does not impact US visitor visas, which have been in the spotlight given the United States is hosting the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
The decision follows a November directive to US diplomats asking them to ensure that visa applicants are financially self-sufficient and do not risk becoming dependent on government subsidies during their stay in the US, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters at the time.
Trump has pursued a sweeping immigration crackdown since returning to office in January. His administration has aggressively prioritized immigration enforcement, sending federal agents to major US cities and sparking violent confrontations with both migrants and US citizens.
