JI announces strike on April 26, calls for opening Hamas office in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman announced a nationwide strike on April 26 and called for the opening of a Hamas office in Pakistan.

Addressing participants of the Gaza Solidarity March in Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem said, “Some individuals have travelled from Pakistan to Israel and returned after making commitments there. Aligning with Israel will destroy everything. We pay tribute to those championing the cause of Palestine.”

He stressed that the bond with Palestine is one of faith and belief, adding, “We want Hamas to have an official office in Pakistan.”

During his speech, Hafiz Naeem said, “If we gave the call, no container could block our way — but we did not want a confrontation with the police.”

Earlier, Jamaat-e-Islami had announced a protest march outside the US embassy in the Red Zone on Sunday afternoon to express solidarity with Gaza. However, following negotiations with the local administration, the party called off plans to enter the Red Zone and instead held the march on the Expressway near Zero Point.

After Jamaat-e-Islami assured the administration of a peaceful march on the Expressway, the Faizabad interchange was reopened to regular traffic. Following the change in venue for the Gaza Million March, all containers placed earlier with the help of heavy machinery are now being removed.

Also read: Child dead following Israel strike at Gaza hospital

Previously, Faizabad, Murree Road, the Expressway, connecting roads, and the Red Zone had been completely sealed, causing severe disruptions to traffic flow. Commercial centres in Faizabad were also shut down but were reopened after the area was cleared, and police presence was withdrawn.

Security had been significantly tightened in anticipation of the Gaza March. All entry and exit points of the Red Zone and Extended Red Zone had been blocked with containers and barbed wire.

A ban remains in place on all unlawful gatherings and demonstrations in the federal capital. Islamabad Police has warned of strict action against violators. Authorities had announced that no one would be allowed to disrupt public order, and legal action would be taken under the “Peaceful Assembly” and “Public Order Act” against those taking the law into their own hands.

Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad’s Information Secretary Amir Baloch said the party was fully prepared for today’s Gaza March and that people would pour in from every street of the city.