Civil society and advocacy groups gathered on Thursday outside the Karachi Press Club to protest against the detention of activists aboard the Gaza Sumud Flotilla (GSF), calling on the government to demand the release of the Pakistani delegation, led by former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the GSF, carrying aid to Gaza in its attempt to break Israel\u2019s blockade, was intercepted by Israeli military forces. On board the GSF were over 400 activists from 40 countries, among them a five-member delegation from Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Thursday\u2019s demonstration, organised by the Pakistan Palestine Forum (PFF) in collaboration with the Palestine Action Coalition (PAC) and the non-profit organisation Human Rights Council of Pakistan, aimed to mobilise the public against the state\u2019s inaction.<\/p>\n
People of all ages gathered, chanting slogans for a free Palestine. The demonstrators demanded the immediate release of the detained Pakistanis and called on the government to take concrete action against Israel.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the responsibility of the government to ensure the safe return of the Pakistani delegation on board the GSF,\u201d said Jamshed Hussain of the Human Rights Council of Pakistan while addressing the crowd.<\/p>\n
Hussain recalled that his group, along with PPF, had initially urged the government to facilitate the flotilla, anticipating Israel\u2019s attack; however, \u201cour concerns were ignored,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe five Pakistanis on board are our national heroes,\u201d Hussain said, lamenting that \u201cwhile governments of Italy and France sent fleets to ensure the safe passage of the flotilla, Pakistan \u2014 despite being a muslim country \u2014 failed to follow suit\u201d.<\/p>\n
Demonstrators hold a banner showing the Pakistani delegation at the GSF at a protest against their detention by the Israeli military on October 2 in Karachi. \u2014 Photo by Shifa
\nAnosha Kausar of the PFF echoed similar concerns, telling Dawn.com that \u201cIt was particularly distressing for Pakistanis to embark on such missions since there was very little likelihood of governmental support.\u201d Yet, she remained hopeful that \u201cmomentum for the movement is building up\u201d.<\/p>\n
A demonstrator holds a placard that reads \u201cStop genocide\u201d at a protest against Israel\u2019s detention of the Pakistani GSF delegation on October 2 in Karachi. \u2014 Photo by Shifa
\nSpeaking to Dawn.com, Hussain called on the people to \u201cstand united in their demand for the Pakistanis on the GSF to be released and brought back home safely,\u201d vowing to continue the protest \u201clest they suffer any harm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hussain warned that \u201cby ignoring the plight of the Palestinian people, we are setting a dangerous precedent\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must decide which side of history we will choose to stand on,\u201d he said, expressing disappointment at Pakistan\u2019s endorsement of Trump\u2019s Gaza peace plan.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Pakistan hailed Trump\u2019s 20-point plan, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcoming it, drawing ire from the political sphere.<\/p>\n
A child holds a placard that reads \u201cfree free Palestine\u201d at a protest against Israel\u2019s detention of the Pakistani GSF delegation on October 2 in Karachi. \u2014 Photo by Shifa
\nAmong the many participants was Noureen, a housewife and a caterer, who felt the government\u2019s inaction had forced \u201cordinary citizens like her to come out on the streets\u201d.<\/p>\n
However, speaking to Dawn.com, Naureen remarked, \u201cAs a mother, I can not turn away from the suffering of the Palestinian children, just as I can not see my own children harmed.\u201d While another demonstrator, Ehtaram, who had come to attend with his wife and two children, thought that \u201cwe must pressurise our government to take stern action against Israel, the way Colombia did\u201d.<\/p>\n
Earlier today, Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of the entire Israeli diplomatic delegation from Colombia, a move triggered by the detention of two Colombian nationals aboard the Gaza aid flotilla.<\/p>\n
The 45-vessel flotilla, with activists and politicians including Greta Thunberg on board, departed in late August to break Israel\u2019s blockade of Gaza.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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