• Islamabad police recently blocked a pro-Palestine rally led by former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed from approaching the US Embassy, resulting in several arrests.
• The Pakistani government are limiting pro-Palestine media coverage and protest visibility, this as a reflection of its perceived alignment with US interests.
The Islamabad police recently thwarted participants of a pro-Palestine rally, led by former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, from advancing toward the US Embassy at Abpara Chowk. Clashes ensued between the police and protesters a fortnight ago, resulting in the arrest of Senator Mushtaq and approximately 20 other individuals.
The protest was orchestrated by the Muslim Tulba Mahaz under the leadership of Senator Mushtaq. A substantial police presence was stationed on both sides of Abpara Market Road in anticipation of the demonstration.
Following Friday prayers at Jamia Masjid Shuhada, protestors attempted to march towards the US Embassy, but their efforts were met with what witnesses characterised as excessive force by the police to disperse the crowd. Senator Mushtaq himself was reportedly subjected to brutal treatment by the police during the incident. Additionally, police shut down Abpara Market, prompting resistance from shopkeepers, which led to heated confrontations with law enforcement.
Despite the dispersal of the protesters, groups of people lingered in the market, and police vans, along with armoured vehicles, subsequently arrived at Abpara Chowk to suppress the protest.
During a separate pro-Palestine protest held in Islamabad in September, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed was detained.
It is deeply concerning that in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, citizens are being denied the opportunity to express solidarity with their Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine, who are enduring unspeakable suffering in an ongoing, live-streamed genocide.
Furthermore, the Pakistani government has actively obstructed efforts to channel support for Palestine to news outlets and to prevent protests by Pakistanis from reaching the mainstream media.
Pakistan’s ruling party has long faced criticism for being perceived as a puppet of the United States.
This is perhaps even more disheartening, considering that Pakistan was founded on the principle of la ilaha illallah (there is no God but Allah).
