KARACHI: Leaders of political parties, human rights activists and members of civil society on Sunday called for unity among Islamic countries for an anti-Israel

stance against the ongoing genocide of Palestinians by the Zionist regime.

Addressing a conference, titled “The Martyrs of Quds and Palestine”, organised by the Palestine Foundation Pakistan (PLF) at the Karachi Press

Club, they also highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by the people of Palestine and Kashmir, emphasising the need for unity and collective action against oppression.

Rauf Siddiqui of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan highlighted the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East, accusing the United States and Britain of upholding Israel’s existence.

PLF conference highlights Israeli atrocities in Palestine

“Those who remain silent on Kashmir and Palestine align themselves with the oppressors,” he said, urging the international community to urgently address the food crisis in Gaza. Criticising the United Nations for failing to effectively resolve those crises, he paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Palestinian cause.

Dr Merajul Huda Siddiqui of the Jamaat-i-Islami reflected on the 456 days since Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, emphasising the ongoing resilience of the Islamic resistance. He honored martyrs such as Hassan Nasrallah, Qassem Soleimani, Yahya Sinwar and Ismael Haniya, asserting that their sacrifices had strengthened the resistance movement. He also declared that the two-state solution was no longer viable as the oppressed continued their steadfast fight for justice.

Qari Usman of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUIF) drew attention to the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza where women and children suffer from malnutrition. He called for a boycott of American and Israeli products and urged people to support locally-produced Pakistani goods.

Allama Baqir Abbas Zaidi of the Majlis-i-Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza and Kashmir, asserting that Israel was in a state of despair while the oppressed remained resolute.

Dr Sabir Abu Maryam, secretary general of the Palestine Foundation Pakistan, reiterated the strength of Palestinian resistance and emphasised the importance of Muslim unity for the liberation of Palestine and the protection of Al-Quds. He also condemned any support for a two-state solution, calling it a betrayal of Pakistan’s founding principles.

Allama Qazi Ahmed Noorani of the Jamiat Ulema Pakistan (JUP) proposed the observance of a ‘Palestine Day’ at the government level to raise awareness and garner legislative support for Palestine.

The speakers also urged a boycott of American and Israeli products as a means to support Palestinian resistance and called for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take concrete action to address the crises.

The conference also called for unity among political and religious groups in Pakistan, stressing that the struggles of Palestine and Kashmir are critical issues for global human rights.

Former MNA Salman Mujahid Baloch, and ex-MPAs Mahfouz Yar Khan and retired Major Qamar Abbas, Pir Azha Hamdani of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Younis Boneri of the Awami National Party, Sadiq Sheikh of the PML-Q and Sohail Abidi of the PPP also addressed the conference.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2025