Content strongly to Israel for its ongoing military attack in Gaza, the Jamat-I-Islami (JI) announced on Sunday a national strike on April 26, urging to boycott products that financially support Israel.
The strike was announced by JI Central Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, while pronouncing a burning speech to the “Palestinian Solidarity March” of the Party in Islamabad. The demonstration protested against Israeli atrocities in Gaza and took place on the Islamabad highway.
The Israeli offensive, which began in response to the unprecedented attack of Hamas on October 7, 2023, has killed more than 51,000 Palestinians and destroyed much of the hospital and housing infrastructure in the enclave. It is feared that the death toll is much higher because thousands are still lacking under the rubble.
Going to the protesters, the head of JI announced a strike at the national level on April 26.
“From Chitral to Karachi … we will have a complete strike,” he said. “We will go buy to buy and we will tell you to stay closed on April 26. We will take a jihad (Santa Guerra) through boycott, strikes and social networks. “
He urged JI supporters to avoid the use of products that financially support Israel.
Rehman also urged people to defend Palestine and “fight for the Palestinian cause.”
“Regardless of whether you have a weapon or political power, if you face Israel, you will be destroyed,” he said. “Get up and fight for the Palestinian cause. Stand and condemn Israel. Defend America.”
He asked his followers to send a message to the United States, saying: “We are not your slaves, such as the prophet [PBUH] The servants do not recognize the slavery of the United States or Israel. “
The JI chief also demanded that Pakistan formally recognize Hamas and open an office.
“We demand that a Hamas office be opened in Pakistan and that they are formally recognized,” said Rehman. “They are a legitimate power and a registered movement, and an army according to the UN Charter.
“They are also a democratic force; they won elections in 2006,” he said. “The United States did not accept the results … They are an enemy of democracy, and now a genocide in Gaza is being carried out before their eyes.”
Rehman also accused both the government and the opposition not to do enough to support the Palestinians.
“The opposition does nothing unless it promotes its own objectives,” said Rehman. “They do not raise their voices for Palestine and do not condemn the United States. Either the Government or the opposition, they will continue to incline to the United States. Whatever they have will be erased.”
JI’s boss said this is not just a matter of humanity, but of faith.
“People tell us that we talk about humanity, but our humanity is based on our religion,” said Rehman. “Gaza is a lot of rubble, children are being attacked, but the [Israeli] The hostages are being protected by Hamas. “
JI’s boss said that, unlike Hamas’ captives, Israel’s treatment to the Palestinians in prisons is “disrespectful.”
“The children have been imprisoned for 20 years, that is, Israel,” he said, adding that Hamas is “showing true humanity” and “acting after Islam.”
Previously, the party said it would march towards the Red Zone of High Security, but then negotiated with the administration of Islamabad and decided to go to the alternative place to maintain the situation of the law and order.
However, Margalla’s door was left open for the public, but a strong police contingent was deployed there, since JI supporters advanced towards the capital in solidarity with the Palestinians in the middle of the bloody military campaign of Israel in Gaza.
Ji Islamabad’s Secretary of Information, Amir Baloch, said today that the party will march on the Islamabad highway as “the issues have been resolved between JI and the Islamabad administration.”
“The JI has decided not to march towards the red zone and will march towards Gaza on the Islamabad highway,” Baloch said in a statement. “We will march near Zero Point and a stage will be established on the upper bridge H8, while our central leaders, including Jamat-I-Islami, Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, will go to the demonstration.”
According to a Dawn.com Correspondent on the scene, protesters have been able to enter the highway through Double Road and IJP Road. The correspondent reported that the containers have moved, but added that in the case of emergency or deteriorated security, they will be placed again.
In addition, the police had increased security in the capital for the arrival of a “foreign guest.”
“Due to the arrival of a foreign guest to Islamabad on April 20, 2025, from 7pm to 9pm, extraordinary security arrangements have been made several times in Kararal Chowk, Express Highway, Khanna Pul, Faizabad, Club Road and Pakistan Chowk Radio,” wrote Islamabad police in X.
“Due to the route, there will be some temporary interruptions in the traffic flow on the Express Highway. Traffic will experience decelerations,” the statement added.
Citizens were advised to use the service road connected to the Express Highway and that they were for their destination 20 minutes before.
Separately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the arrival of the Vice Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday night.
A statement said that Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed al Nahyan would visit Islamabad to hold conversations with his counterpart Ishaq to give in “the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular approach to commerce and investment, energy cooperation, regional security and people’s links to people.”
The JI had originally scheduled the protest for Sunday at 3pm outside the United States embassy within the red zone. However, in response to the blockade, JI general, Amirul Azeem, announced an alternative protest location in a video message. He urged the participants to go to Zero Point, at the departure of the Srinagar road near Faizabad.
Due to the obstacles and heavy rains, only a small group of protesters had reached zero point around 3:45 pm began to sing slogans against Israel and the United States. The largest contingent of the protesters had not yet reached the new protest site.
Last week, thousands of Karachi residents met on the main roads of the city for Gaza solidarity marches organized by two religious festivals, where participants expressed solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza in the middle of the wave military offensive of Israel.
According to the JI press release, people from all areas of life attended the demonstration, called by the head of the Hafiz Naeemur Rehman party, including representative organizations of lawyers, teachers, merchants, doctors and other professionals.
Capital Police Problem Traffic Plan
According to a traffic notice issued by the Islamabad Police, “due to the law and order, the entrance and exit routes of the red zone, including Serena [Hotel]Nadra, Marriott and Express Chowk “would close temporarily until further notice.
The advice urged citizens who went to the secretariat and the red zone to use Margalla Road, while citizens who go to Faizabad and Rawalpindi by Rawal Dam Chowk should use Chowk Chowk, Srinagar Srinagar, 9th Avenue or Double Road.
“Citizens who go to Rawalpindi from Karaal through Express Chowk must use Old Airport Road, Rawal Dam Road and 9th Avenue Double Road,” added the notice. “From Ojri Loop, use Express Highway Dhok Kala Khan Service Road. The zero point is closed for Faizabad.”
For citizens who go to Karaal through Faisal Avenue, Rawalpindi Murree Road and Srinagar Highway, the police recommended that he use the ninth new double road, Rawal Road and Old Airport Karaal Chowk to reach their destination.
Citizens who came from Murree to Islamabad were urged from Faizabad through Rawal Dam Chowk to turn Karaal Chowk left, and travel to the old airport, from Karaal Chowk, Rawal Road Rawalpindi, Murree Road and Double Road.
“Citizens who go from [the] The new airport to Murree/Bahara Kahu can use Peshawar Sadar Road, ”the police added.
“From the Kashmir Highway, use the 9th Avenue Double Road from Rawal Road to the old airport, to Latar Road, then Park Road, Rawal Team Kashmir Chowk to Murree/Bahara Kahu.”
Citizens who left Islamabad were urged to use the Double Road of the 9th Avenue to go to Rawalpindi through Faisal Avenue, while those who came from Muzaffarh received instructions to use the Embassador Hotel 7th Avenue or G-6.
“From Gpo Chowk, Use 7th Avenue or Fazal Haq Road Jinnah Avenue,” added the notice.
