ISLAMABAD — Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s main religious political party rallied in the capital, Islamabad, on Sunday against Israel’s bombing of Palestinians in Gaza, chanting anti-American slogans and accusing the US of “supporting the invaders.”
The Jamaat-e-Islami party initially announced a march to the US Embassy in the city’s high-security diplomatic area.
But a crackdown by the authorities the night before forced the party to change its plans and hold a rally on a main road away from the protected area.
Police demolished the party camp on Saturday night, arresting local leadership and dozens of supporters.
Because of Jamaat-e-Islami’s plans and the risk of terrorism, the US Embassy issued an advisory for Americans living in Islamabad and surrounding areas to “limit unnecessary travel on Sunday.”
It advises them to avoid large public gatherings, be cautious if unexpected around large gatherings or demonstrations and review personal security plans.
Supporters of the Jamaat-e-Islami party at a rally protesting Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in Islamabad on October 29, 2023. Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images A woman holds a sign calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images
Jamaat-e-Islami supporters, including women and children, marched several miles to reach the agreed protest site.
They held banners and posters with slogans against Israel and the United States and in support of the Palestinian people.
Follow The Post’s live blog for the latest news on Hamas attacks on Israel
“Just sending medicines and relief goods is not enough, and it is not the duty of the world, especially the Islamic government, but to remain in the hands of the invaders is the real duty of the world,” said party leader Sirajul Haq.
He urged the leaders of the Muslim world to stand up for Gaza, and depend on God rather than continue to be America’s slaves.
Supporters of the Jamat-e-Islami religious party hold a toy gun at a rally in support of the Palestinians. AP Photo/WK Yousafzai Supporters of Pakistan’s Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen religious party protest Israel’s attack on Gaza by carrying fake corpses.AP Photo/WK Yousafzai Children participate in a rally in Islamabad.AP Photo/WK Yousafzai
Jamaat-e-Islami will continue to raise its voice for the Palestinian people until they liberate their land, he said.
Another religious party, Jamiat Ulama Islam, held a mass rally in the southwestern city of Quetta, where its leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed solidarity and support for the people of Gaza.
Also on Sunday, Aurat March, a women’s advocacy group, held protests in several Pakistani cities against the government’s policy to arrest and deport all foreigners found to be living in the country illegally after October 31, including at least 2 million Afghans.
Aurat March rally in Karachi in support of Afghan migrants in Pakistan on October 29, 2023. AP Photo/Fareed Khan People hold signs calling on Pakistan to stop repatriating refugees from Afghanistan.AP Photo/WK Yousafzai
Aurat March supporters gathered in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Multan to support Afghans facing the threat of deportation.
Pakistani authorities have repeatedly said their campaign does not specifically target Afghans, only undocumented or unregistered migrants.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
