Tens of thousands of protesters filled Karachi’s main road on Sunday to condemn genocide in Gaza by Israel, which killed over 36,400 people, mostly women and children, since last October.
The rally, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), was part of the global “All Eyes On Rafah” movement. Protesters, carrying Palestinian flags and anti-Israel banners, gathered at Shahrah-e-Faisal Road at 4pm local time (1100 GMT) despite the severe heat wave.
Key banners read “Stop Genocide in Gaza” and “Salute to Hamas resistance.” A group of young protesters carried a 30-meter-long Palestinian flag. Many Christians also participated in the rally.
This was the third major pro-Palestine march in Karachi this year. Protesters chanted “Free free Palestine” as JI’s newly-elected chief, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, and other leaders formed a human chain on stage.
Rehman accused Israel of bombing designated safe zones in Gaza and criticised the US for supplying weapons to Israel while calling for a cease-fire. He also condemned Arab leaders for not supporting Hamas and Palestinians, asserting Pakistan’s support for their struggle.
Since October 7, 2023, over 36,400 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, with more than 82,600 injured in the genocide.
Gaza faces severe shortages of food, water, and medicine due to the Israeli blockade. Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered it to halt operations in Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians have sought refuge.
