The Palestine Foundation Pakistan observed ‘Nakba Day’ across the country on Friday with the theme ‘Day of Return’ to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Special prayers and demonstrations were held after the Friday prayers in mosques in support of the Palestinians’ right of return and condemn the Zionist oppression and acts of terrorism during 78 years since the establishment of Israel.
Political and religious parties leaders, lawyers, artists, teachers, students and members of civil society also staged demonstration at the Karachi Press Club. Participants of the protest carried Palestinian flags along with placards and banners featuring images of Palestinian, Iranian and Lebanese martyrs and leaders.
The banners carried slogans supporting the global campaign for the Palestinians’ right to return to their land condemning Israel and the United States, and calling for an end to the American and Israeli actions in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran.
Among those present at the demonstration were Dr Sabir Abu Maryam, Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui, Allama Baqar Abbas Zaidi, Nadeem Awan, Pandit Vijay Maharaj, Sardar Magan Singh and others. Addressing the gathering, speakers termed Israel’s existence in Palestine as illegal and illegitimate, saying that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had foreseen the consequences of the creation of the Zionist state in Palestine and maintained that Pakistan would never recognise it.
The speakers said Palestinians had been suffering continuous destruction and displacement for the last 78 years, while millions of Palestinians continued to live as refugees in different countries. They urged the Pakistani government to pass resolutions in both the National Assembly and Senate supporting the Palestinians’ right to return.
The participants also congratulated the people, armed forces and government of Pakistan on the completion of the first year of the victory in Marka-e-Haq, pledging national unity against external threats and conspiracies.
The speakers called on the international community to ensure a permanent ceasefire in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran, and demanded the withdrawal of American forces from the Middle East and other regions.
