JI Chief Calls for April 26 Strike Amid Ongoing Gaza Solidarity March

Islamabad — The Gaza Solidarity March in Pakistan continues to draw massive crowds as citizens rally in support of the Palestinian people. Addressing the march in Islamabad, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman condemned the silence of Muslim leaders on the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, calling it shameful in the face of growing international outrage.

Hafiz Naeem urged Muslim rulers to learn from the courage of non-Muslim youth who are openly voicing support for Palestinians, undeterred by potential consequences. He stressed the urgency of global action, stating that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be pressured, especially by the United States, to bring an end to the attacks on Gaza.

As a show of protest, the JI chief announced a nationwide strike across Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir, set for April 26. He emphasized that resistance must take multiple forms, including boycotts, social media campaigns, and what he described as “digital jihad.” Hafiz Naeem also noted that several religious scholars have declared jihad obligatory in the context of the Gaza conflict.

In addition to Palestine, the JI leader drew attention to pressing domestic issues. He expressed solidarity with marginalized communities in Pakistan, citing the Baloch people’s demand for rights, the Pashtun call for peace, and ongoing protests in Sindh over water distribution.

Read more: Silent Killers: The Human and Ecological Cost of Landmines and Explosives in Kashmir

Calling for unity across political and ethnic lines, Hafiz Naeem urged Pakistanis to stand together for the causes of both Kashmir and Palestine. He condemned the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and called on Muslim nations to break their silence and take meaningful action against Israeli aggression.