Tens of thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators, predominantly supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, gathered on Shahrah-e-Faisal for the “Stop Genocide in Gaza March” on Sunday. The rally marked the 100-day milestone of Israel’s hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
Protesters, adorned with keffiyeh scarves and waving Palestinian flags, marched through various roads before converging on Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi’s busiest street. Organized by Jamaat-e-Islami, the religiopolitical party, the rally drew a diverse crowd, including women and children wearing pro-Palestine headbands.
Banners proclaiming “Stop Genocide in Gaza” and messages acknowledging South Africa’s actions against Israel filled the rally. Chants of “Labbaik ya Gaza,” “Labbaik ya Aqsa,” and “We Stand with Hamas” echoed through the crowd. Local Christian and Hindu leaders joined the protest.
Approximately 20,000 to 25,000 people, according to security officials and observers, participated in the rally. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, addressing the crowd, condemned the US and Europe for allegedly supporting the “genocide” committed by Israeli forces.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman praised South Africa’s filing of a case against Tel Aviv in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and criticized Pakistan for not taking a similar initiative. He emphasized that Pakistanis would continue standing alongside Palestinians.
Christian leader Yunus Sohan urged the UN Security Council to secure an immediate cease-fire to prevent a “total collapse” in Gaza. The rally underscored Pakistan’s ongoing support for Palestine, with Islamabad not recognizing Israel but advocating a two-state solution with Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.
Since Israel’s invasion on October 7, Pakistan has witnessed widespread pro-Palestine protests. Israel’s relentless attacks on Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, with at least 23,968 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children, and 60,582 injured. The UN reports that 85% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced, facing critical shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave’s infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.
