Pakistan today observes a national day of mourning in solidarity with the Palestinian people and to condemn the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza. The decision was made during a consultative meeting of the government-allied parties, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, held in Islamabad to address the escalating situation in Palestine.
In a joint declaration, it was announced that funeral prayers in absentia for Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of the political bureau of Hamas, who was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday, will be offered across the country after Friday prayers. The meeting also resolved to present a resolution in parliament to express full solidarity with the Palestinian people. Participants strongly condemned the continuous Israeli brutalities in Palestine over the past nine months and affirmed their unwavering support for the Palestinian brothers and sisters.
The declaration further urged the international community, including the United Nations, to end their silence and take immediate action to halt the genocide of the oppressed Palestinians by Zionist forces and to hold Israel accountable for its war crimes.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, speaking at the occasion, criticized the international community’s silence over the ongoing Israeli barbarism in Palestine, calling it a matter of grave concern. He condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, stating that Israel has grossly violated resolutions adopted by international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council and decisions of the International Court of Justice.
Prime Minister Sharif highlighted that the International Court of Justice has declared Israel’s actions as genocide. He emphasized that preventing Israel from continuing this genocide is a significant challenge for the modern world. However, he expressed appreciation for the countries that have condemned the ongoing Israeli oppression in Gaza.
Leaders from various political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-N, Pakistan People’s Party, Balochistan Awami Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-N), Pakistan Muslim League Zia, and the National Party, participated in the discussion. The participants unanimously condemned the Israeli actions and expressed deep sorrow over the death of Haniyeh in Tehran.
The participants viewed Haniyeh’s assassination as a deliberate attempt to disrupt efforts towards peace in the region and to continue the persecution of Palestinians. The resolution, to be presented in parliament, will reiterate Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and condemn the Israeli government’s actions. The participants stressed the importance of a unified international response to stop the genocide and bring Israel to justice for its war crimes against Palestinians.
