- Pakistan’s government has suppressed a pro-Palestine conference in Lahore, sparking outrage.
- The regime’s actions, including a pro-Israel UN vote and crackdowns on dissent, are seen as a betrayal of support for Palestine, alienating the populace and exposing a shift towards a Zionist-friendly stance.
On 21 November, in a move which has sparked widespread condemnation, Pakistan’s military-led government has deployed heavy police forces to thwart a pro-Palestine conference in Lahore, igniting a fierce debate over the suppression of public will and the nation’s foreign policy direction. The incident, captured in a viral video shared by Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, underscores a troubling pattern of state action that prioritises appeasing international powers, particularly the United States, over the sentiments of its own citizens.
The video, which has circulated extensively on social media, shows Punjab Police vehicles sealing off Iqbal Markaz, the venue for the “Gaza Azm Unity Conference.” The conference aimed to express solidarity with Palestine, a cause that resonates deeply with Pakistan, given the country’s long-standing support for Palestinian self-determination. However, the government’s response, characterized by a heavy police presence and the prevention of the event, has been likened to the tactics of Israel’s IDF, with critics accusing the administration of acting as an “Israel-lover government” (اسرائیل نواز حکومت).
This crackdown is not an isolated incident but part of a broader strategy by the military-led regime, which came to power through a controversial U.S. backed coup d’état against the now incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The current government’s actions are seen as a direct affront to the Pakistani people’s will, which overwhelmingly supports Palestine. The suppression of such events is perceived as an attempt to align with U.S. imperial interests, particularly in the context of recent international developments involving Israel and Gaza.
The Role of the Military-Led Government
The military’s influence in Pakistani politics is well-documented, and its role in suppressing pro-Palestine activities is a stark reminder of its power. The government, under the guise of maintaining order, has consistently targeted demonstrations and conferences that voice support for Palestine, often citing security concerns. However, these actions are widely viewed as an effort to placate Western allies, particularly the United States, which has been a key player in supplying weapons to Israel to carry out genocide of Palestinians and had a role in the recent Gaza ceasefire, which Israel has already violated nearly 500 times in 44 days, and the formation of an International Stabilisation Force (ISF), a force meant to disarm resistance from Gaza without disarming the IDF, which is the main aggressor.
The military’s backing and control of the current administration, which lacks a mandate, is a critical factor. Imran Khan, ousted in a coup that many believe was orchestrated with U.S. support, had maintained a staunchly pro-Palestine stance, aligning with public sentiment. In contrast, the current regime’s policies suggest a huge and unconventional shift towards a more friendly approach towards Israel, a move that has alienated a significant portion of the population.
International Context: The UN Vote and U.S. Influence
The suppression of pro-Palestine sentiment in Pakistan must be understood within the broader international context, particularly the United Nations Security Council vote in October 2025. Pakistan, presiding over the council at the time, voted in favor of a U.S.-authored colonial resolution that established a transitional administration and an ISF in Gaza.
While the resolution promised disarming Gaza, it never said anything about disarming Israel who was the aggressor in a genocide against the people go Gaza, the vote was criticized heavily for its lack of clarity on the UN’s role and its favoritism towards Israel.
This vote has been a point of contention, with arguments that it represents a betrayal of Pakistan’s traditional support for Palestine. The resolution’s pro-Israel tilt, aligns with the U.S. playbook under President Donald Trump, who has been instrumental in brokering deals that favor Israeli interests, such as the Abraham Accords and the recent Gaza ceasefire. Pakistan’s participation in the ISF, alongside other Muslim-majority states, further complicates its position, as it is seen as complicity in a process that many believe undermines Palestinian rights.
Domestic Backlash and Public Sentiment
The public’s reaction to the Lahore incident has been one of outrage and disbelief. Social media platforms are flooded with condemnation, with users tagging government officials for clarification. The comparison to Jamaat-e-Islami’s events, which reportedly received police facilitation, highlights the perceived inconsistency and bias in state actions.
The First Zionist-Friendly Regime of Pakistan?
Critics argue that the current government’s actions mark a disturbing shift towards a Zionist-friendly stance, a stark departure from Pakistan’s historical position. The suppression of pro-Palestine activities, combined with the UN vote, suggests a willingness to align with U.S. and Israeli interests, possibly in exchange for other concessions. This perception is compounded by the regime’s origins, a coup that removed a leader with a popular mandate and replaced him with a military-led puppet government seen as beholden to external powers.
The military’s role in this shift cannot be overstated. As the de facto power behind the throne, it has the capacity to shape foreign policy and domestic actions, often at the expense of public will. The crackdown in Lahore is a manifestation of this power, a clear signal that dissent, particularly on the issue of Palestine, will not be tolerated.
The Cost of Choosing International Alignment Over National Will
The incident in Lahore is a microcosm of the broader tensions within Pakistan, between a military-led government and a populace that feels betrayed, between national sentiment and international alignment, and between historical solidarity and current expediency. The suppression of pro-Palestine support is not merely a security measure but a political statement, one that exposes the regime’s willingness to prioritize U.S. imperial masters over the will of its own people.
As Pakistan navigates this precarious path, the question remains: at what cost does it seek to maintain its international standing? The answer, for many, is clear, the cost is the trust and support of its own citizens, a price that may prove too high in the long run. The world watches as Pakistan’s military-led government treads a fine line, but for the people of Pakistan, the line has already been crossed.
