Islamabad, April 20 , 2025 — Thousands of Pakistanis converged on the capital in a spirited show of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, overcoming heavy security measures and road blockades to make their voices heard.
Demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and placards reading “Stop the Genocide” and “Free Palestine,” chanting slogans against Israel and its allies as they pressed for immediate humanitarian intervention in Gaza.
Authorities had sealed off all primary access points to Islamabad’s high‑security Red Zone with shipping containers and barbed wire, leaving only Margalla Road and Bari Imam gates open.
The federal capital administration warned motorists of “temporary disruptions” along the Expressway and advised alternate routes, but protesters negotiated with officials to enter via Double Road and IJP Road, ultimately holding their rally near Zero Point on the Islamabad Expressway
Leading the march, Jamaat‑e‑Islami (JI) Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addressed the crowd from a stage erected beneath the H‑8 overhead bridge.
Rehman condemned Israel’s military campaign as “an affront to both humanity and faith,” urging Muslim nations to sever ties with countries backing the offensive. “Our solidarity with Gaza is not merely political rhetoric—it is a sacred duty,” he declared, calling on the government to enforce a formal boycott of Israeli goods and dispatch immediate aid to Gaza.
Simultaneously, the Muslim Students’ Front and the Pak Palestine Forum organized a “Save Gaza March” through Islamabad’s Aabpara commercial district. Despite containers and barbed wire surrounding the area, hundreds of students and activists pressed on, demanding an end to the humanitarian crisis and pledging ongoing demonstrations until decisive action was taken
Participants decried the “genocidal war” waged by Israel, while also denouncing U.S. support for the offensive.
Many spoke of the emotional toll of watching civilian casualties broadcast daily, framing their protest as both a moral imperative and an outcry against global silence. “When children in Gaza cry for help, we cannot stay silent,” said one university student, her voice sinking into the evening air as the crowd cheered
Remarkably, the march proceeded peacefully without major clashes. Containers that had blocked the Expressway were removed under heavy machinery once JI leaders assured authorities of a lawful demonstration.
Traffic delays persisted into the evening, but motorists and commuters—many waving in support—expressed admiration for the protesters’ resolve
The protests coincided with the arrival of the United Arab Emirates’ Deputy Prime Minister in Islamabad, prompting heightened security.
Yet demonstrators remained undeterred, viewing their actions as a necessary moral stand that transcended diplomatic protocol.
As the sun set over the Margalla Hills, the Gaza Solidarity March stood as a testament to Pakistani resolve, sending a clear message: public will in Pakistan demands more than words — it calls for concrete assistance, diplomatic pressure, and unwavering support for Palestinian self‑determination.
