Students unite in Karachi to protest against Israeli atrocities in Gaza

Student-led demonstration saw participation from several universities including Bahria, KU, NED, and FAST

KARACHI:

Amidst the global wave of protests, students from various universities in Karachi gathered outside Karachi University’s (KU) main gate on Thursday to demonstrate their solidarity with Palestine against Israel's actions in Gaza.

The student-led rally, comprising both male and female students, congregated at the Silver Jubilee gate of KU before marching towards NED University.

A student organiser, who chose to remain anonymous, highlighted the peaceful nature of the "#StudentsforPalestine" rally initiated across sixteen universities in Karachi, stating, "This is the message of Karachi's youth."

The demonstration resonated with pro-Palestinian sentiments as students carried banners and placards depicting the plight of Gaza. Addressing concerns about obtaining permission for the rally within their universities, a student organiser explained, "It's a sensitive issue, so faculty approval is challenging."

Leadership from various universities clarified that the protests were organised at a student level, hence formal permission from faculty or university administrations was not sought.

Artworks portraying Israeli atrocities adorned the rally, with many students donning the symbolic black-and-white keffiyeh headscarf in solidarity with Gaza.

Also read: KU students rally in solidarity with Palestine amidst global outcry

Madiha Siddiqui, a psychology student at Bahria University Karachi Campus (BUKC), expressed her empathy for the Palestinians, stating, "I want to play my part in voicing our frustration with international peace efforts."

Echoing similar sentiments, a KU student stressed the need for student voices to be heard in global protests. "It's high time we, as students, also channel our voice," she remarked.

Expressing satisfaction at the increasing mobilisation of universities, a female student emphasised the solidarity of Karachi's students with the suffering of Palestinians.

Muhammad Haseebullah, a software engineering student at BUKC, underscored the awareness among Karachi's students about the plight of Palestinians. "Karachi's students want to convey to their Palestinian Muslim brothers that they are well aware of their sufferings and pains," he stated.

Eman Shakeel, another student, stressed the importance of taking action against ongoing brutalities. "It's the least we can do to awaken the Muslim ummah," she remarked.

Voicing his frustration with Israeli actions, a student expressed his desire for Muslim countries to intervene. "I am here because I want the Muslim ummah to take a stand for our brothers and sisters," he protested.

A week prior, over two hundred professors from Karachi University, including several deans and senior academics, along with the president of the KU Teachers Society, penned a letter expressing solidarity with ongoing protests in US campuses against Gaza atrocities.