KARACHI - Demanding an end to Gaza massacre, thousands of people led by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq on Sunday joined Gaza Million March to express solidarity with the Palestinians.
People belonging to different walks of life including women and children and senior citizens participated in the mammoth public rally the ‘Gaza Million March’ which started from Baloch Colony and ended at FTC at main Shahra-e-Faisal expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The participants raised were carrying Pakistani and Palestinian flags along with their party. They were chanting slogans against Israel and United States and in favour of the people of Gaza.
They were also carrying placards and banners inscribed with ‘Get Free Gaza’, ‘Down with Israel and USA’, ‘Labbaik Ya Gaza’ and others.
On the occasion, the JI workers clad in Hamas army uniform raised Pakistani and Palestinian flags.
Social media camp and media gallery for journalists were also set up in the Million March.
Speaking to the ‘Gaza Million March' JI chief Sirajul Haq said the international community after the said march should realize the real issue faced by Muslim Ummah. He said the entire Ummah wanted independence of Gaza.
On the occasion, Siraj made it clear that the JI would not accept existence of Israel at any cost. He regretted that Muslim countries had more than 7 million army men but, in spite of that, the people in Gaza were being killed by the Israeli forces.
"JI has already sent Rs 50 million aid, a convoy of paramedics' staff and ambulance for the people of Gaza," he added.
The JI chief said that 180 million people of the country were ready to sacrifice their lives for the independence of Gaza.
Siraj appealed to Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif to take stand for Gaza without fearing from United States. He said Pakistan is the name of ideology and philosophy, adding, that Pakistan ideology applies not only to the borders of the country but in every region where Muslims are being victimised.
“What's the purpose of having such large armies if they can't help Gaza,” Siraj questioned.
He assured the nation that the JI would give a true welfare state to the people of the country, where the supremacy of law and justice would be supreme.
"I do not want imposition of Martial Law in the country, as the nation has already witnessed it in the past," the JI chief added. He said JI wanted reforms in electoral reforms and transparency in electoral process. He termed election in Karachi a selection and plundering on public mandate.
Talking about Islamabad’s current situation and political crisis due to the anti-government protests Haq said people staging protest in the federal capital were Pakistanis and government should listen to their demands but the political parties should also hold discussion and deliberations for the prosperity of the country. He further said that both the leaders including Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan believed in the supremacy of the Constitution.
On the occasion, Syed Munawar Hasan, a former JI chief, lauded Jamaat for holding a massive rally expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza. He regretted that the rulers of 56 Muslim countries in the world remained silent over the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
"The government should play its role in fostering emotions of jihad among the people," he added.
Munwar demanded immediate ceasefire and lifting of Gaza siege. He said Hamas, Hezbullah and Taliban were fighting for the real cause of Muslim Ummah.
Khursheed Shah, the Opposition leader in NA, said the ‘Gaza Million March’ proved that the Muslim Ummah was united against Israeli aggression.
"This rally is a clear message to international community that the Muslims of the entire world are united on Gaza," he added.
He urged the present government to organize an OIC meeting for uniting the Muslim Ummah at a single platform. Khalid Mashal, Hamas leader in his telephonic address lauded efforts of the people of Pakistan for expressing solidarity with the Gaza people.
On the occasion, Khalid Mashal vowed that Hamas and the people of Gaza would continue their jihad against USA and Israeli army.
Dr Muzzamil, President Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) Karachi said the courage of the people of Gaza would defeat the Israeli army in Palestine, adding that the identity of the Israel would be erased completely in near future.
JUP leader Dr Siddiq Rathore said Muslim rulers had accepted the slavery of United States. He said Israel killed infants, children and women in Gaza. He appealed to the Muslim community to come forward and play its role.
AML leader Mehfooz Yar Khan said the international community should play its role for the resolution of Palestine issue.
Basharat Mirza said the entire Muslim Ummah was standing behind the people of Gaza, however, the rulers of Muslim Ummah were busy in enjoying luxuries. He congratulated Jamaat for holding such a successful March.
Maulana Umer Saddiq said millions of people had gathered in Karachi to condemn the Israeli aggression.
Younus Sohan said the people of Pakistan strongly denounced the Israeli bombing on Gaza.
PML-N leader Nihal Hashmi congratulated JI chief Sirajul Haq and his workers for holding a massive rally to highlight Gaza people’s plight.
Mirza Yousuf Baig, a leader of MWM, said the march reflected the unity of Muslim Ummah and this unity would impose Muslim rule in the world.
President KPC Imtiaz Faran saluted the JI leadership and other parties for highlighting Gaza issue. He, on behalf of the entire journalist community, expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.
He informed that the KPC office-bearers had also held a walk for expressing solidarity with the people of Gaza. JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman thanked the participants of Gaza Million March. "USA and Israel are our enemies and people of Gaza are our friends," he added. He urged the Muslim rulers to come forward and play their due role.
Hafiz Naeem thanked the leaders of different political parties, business community and people belonging to various spheres of life for attending Gaza Million March.