Al-Quds Day was observed across Pakistan on Friday with rallies held nationwide to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and protest against the continued Israeli occupation of Palestine.
In Karachi, the Sindh government had declared March 13 a public holiday, with government offices, autonomous bodies, corporations and local councils closed except essential services. To maintain law and order, around 1,340 police officers and personnel were deployed across the city. The central march started at Numaish Chowrangi and culminated on MA Jinnah Road after the Maghrib prayers.
The city administration made special arrangements to ensure peaceful observance of the occasion, while religious scholars expressed solidarity with Palestinians during their Friday sermons.
Meanwhile, several key roads remained closed as authorities enforced strict security and traffic measures. Traffic police advised citizens to plan their travel in advance, use alternative routes and cooperate with officials.
The central Al-Quds Day march in Karachi was held under the banner Azadi-e-Qibla-e-Awwal Rally. It was organised by the Tehreek-e-Azadi Al-Quds Pakistan. The rally marched along MA Jinnah Road from Numaish Chowrangi to Tibet Centre and was attended by a large number of religious scholars from different schools of thought, political and social figures, lawyers, doctors, as well as men, women and children from civil society.
Addressing the participants, religious scholars said Youm-e-Quds was not only for the Palestinians as it was a day to raise collective voice against oppression and express solidarity with the oppressed around the world. The speakers said that free-thinking people and oppressed nations across the globe responded to the call of Imam Khomeini, frustrating the ambitions of colonial and imperial forces. They added that although the Muslim world was passing through difficult times, the presence of awakened youth associated with the axis of resistance would never allow plans such as “Greater Israel” to succeed.
Addressing the concluding session, speakers said the United States, Israel, Britain and India were pursuing aggressive policies against the Muslim Ummah. They maintained that any attack on Iran would be considered an attack on the entire Muslim world.
The speakers also expressed deep sorrow and condolences over the martyrdom of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Syed Ali Khamenei. They said that today’s massive gathering of freedom-loving people was not only expressing solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians but also renewing allegiance with Ayatollah Syed Mojtaba Khamenei.
Scholars stated that attempts were being made to weaken the Islamic Republic of Iran and the resistance bloc because of their unwavering support for oppressed Palestinians, but the enemy had repeatedly miscalculated in confronting the forces of truth.
Reaffirming their commitment to the complete liberation of Palestine, the speakers demanded that Pakistan immediately withdraw from what they termed the United States’ ‘so-called Board of Peace’. They added that Iran had consistently supported Pakistan’s stance on key issues including Kashmir, while the United States and Israel were uneasy with a strong and powerful Pakistan.
The speakers also called on the government to convene a joint session of Parliament to clarify the national policy on the prevailing situation. Condemning the alleged firing, baton-charging and shelling on protesters during recent demonstrations, they claimed that several people were martyred and more than a hundred were injured. They expressed solidarity with the families of the martyrs.
Among those who addressed the gathering were ISO Central President Ameen Shirazi, Sindh Local Government Minister Minister Nasir Shah, Maulana Ameen Shaheedi, Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Dr Meraj-ul-Huda, Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi, Maulana Nazir Abbas Taqvi, Karachi Bar Association President Aamir Nawaz Warraich, Maulana Mirza Yousuf Hussain and others.
An effigy symbolising the devil ‘Baal’ was also set on fire.
Another march was organised on the appeal of Allama Syed Sajid Ali Naqvi, which started from Regal Chowk and concluded at the Karachi Press Club, drawing thousands of men, women, children and party workers.
Addressing the participants, central Secretary General of the Shia Ulema Council Pakistan Allama Shabbir Hassan Meesami urged the Pakistani government to convene a conference of Muslim foreign ministers to raise a strong protest against what he described as Zionist bombing and atrocities in Palestine and Iran, including attacks on worshippers, women and children.
The Karachi administration had made suitable arrangements to facilitate peaceful observance of the occasion and holding of Al-Quds Day rallies in the metropolis. On the directives of the Karachi police chief, the city police had formed a comprehensive security plan to ensure the safety of citizens during Al-Quds Day.
According to the police spokesperson, a total of 1,338 police officers and personnel were deployed for security duties, while special arrangements were made along the rally routes and at entry and exit points.
Several important roads across Karachi remained closed on Friday as authorities implemented strict traffic and security measures for Youm-e-Quds rallies. Traffic police had issued a citywide advisory urging citizens to plan travel carefully and avoid affected routes.
Meanwhile, a photo exhibition highlighting the situation in Gaza and expressing solidarity with Palestine was organised on MA Jinnah Road under the auspices of the Palestine Foundation on the occasion of International Quds Day.
Speaking to the media at the exhibition, Secretary General of the Palestine Foundation Sabir Abu Maryam said the display featured images related to Gaza, Palestine and what he described as recent US-Israeli aggression against Iran.
