(Web Desk Monitoring) — The government of Pakistan, along with its coalition partners, announced on Thursday their decision to observe a national day of mourning on Friday to show solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemn the actions of Israel in Palestine.
This decision follows a consultative meeting led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, where the deteriorating situation in Palestine was discussed.
In a joint declaration, it was decided to perform funeral prayers in absentia across the country for Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Hamas Political Bureau, who was reportedly assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday. The funeral prayers will take place after Friday prayers.
The meeting participants, expressing grief and anger, strongly condemned the recent acts of violence and alleged atrocities committed by Israel against the Palestinians over the past nine months. They emphasized their solidarity with the Palestinian people, expressing sorrow over Haniyeh’s death and condemning it as an attempt to derail efforts to end the violence and establish peace in the region. The leaders described the situation as a “tragedy” for the Muslim Ummah and called for immediate humanitarian aid for Palestinians. They also announced that Pakistan would continue to send relief goods and medical assistance to Palestine, including offering treatment in Pakistan for injured Palestinians and admitting Palestinian medical students into Pakistani medical colleges on a scholarship basis.
The statement from Pakistani leaders also highlighted their concern over the heightened tensions in the Middle East, following not only the assassination of Haniyeh but also threats from Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah to retaliate against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by stating that Israel is prepared for any aggression.
The Pakistani leaders called on the international community, including the United Nations, to take a clear stance against the violence and ensure that international laws are upheld. They warned that the ongoing situation could undermine the credibility of international laws and institutions if the international community remains inactive. They demanded an end to what they described as “genocide” and “state-sponsored terrorism” in Palestine and called for Israel to be held accountable for war crimes.
