Islamabad Administration Reopens Roads After Peaceful Gaza March
The nationwide strike is a response to the Israeli military offensive, which began in response to Hamas's actions on October 7, 2023, and has killed over 51,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the housing and hospital infrastructure in the enclave. The JI chief urged JI supporters to avoid using products that financially support Israel and to stand up for Palestine and fight for the Palestinian cause.
Jamaat-e-Islami assured the Islamabad administration of a peaceful Gaza march, leading to the reopening of major roads in the city, including Expressway, Murree Road, and connecting routes, which were closed due to security concerns. The march was staged near Zero Point on Islamabad Expressway, following a coordination with the administration, instead of proceeding towards the US embassy as initially planned.
The closures had disrupted traffic and affected the commute for residents, while commercial areas in Faizabad were also shut down. However, after the change in plan, the roads were reopened, and traffic resumed. The JI protest comes amid global outrage over civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza, with Israeli air strikes killing 20 people and injuring dozens more, including children and women, since dawn on Sunday.
Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a nationwide strike on April 26 to protest Israel's military offensive in Gaza, urging a boycott of companies linked to Israeli interests. JI Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman made the announcement at a pro-Palestine rally on the Islamabad Expressway, condemning the genocide in Gaza where over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed. The strike will be enforced from Chitral to Karachi, with JI supporters visiting markets to shut them down in support of Palestine.
The JI chief demanded that Pakistan formally recognize Hamas and allow it to establish a representative office in the country, referring to Hamas as a democratically elected force under international law. He called on citizens to reject US and Israeli influence, saying "We are not slaves to the West." Major traders' bodies in Islamabad have announced their support for the strike, with the JI leader urging party workers to intensify efforts in the lead-up to April 26.