Nation observes 'Palestine solidarity day' today

President, PM to host APC at Aiwan-e-Sadr in support of Palestinians

ISLAMABAD:

The nation will observe Solidarity Day with Palestinian people on Monday (today) to condemn the Israeli brutalities in Gaza and Lebanon on the competition of one year since Israeli forces started their genocide campaign in Gaza.

The main event of the day will be an all parties conference (APC), to be hosted by President Asif Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The APC, which would also be addressed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, would raise voice against the ongoing persecution of innocent Palestinians in Gaza.

The decision to observe October 7 as the Palestinian Solidarity Day was taken in a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. It was also agreed that both the president and the prime minister would attend the APC.

The prime minister also met with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman in Islamabad and both sides agreed to observe the solidarity day. Later, a JI delegation visited Zardari House and invited Bilawal to participate in his party's 'Gaza Million March'.

Speaking to the media after the meeting Hafiz Naeem and Bilawal condemned Israel for unleashing state terrorism, highlighting its recent attack on Lebanon. On the occasion, Hafiz Naeem called on the government to focus on the Gaza situation.

"On October 7, we will take to the streets across the country at 12 pm to protest. Despite political differences, we must unite for Palestine," he stated, referring to the Million March on Monday in Islamabad to express solidarity with Gaza and Lebanon.

Reciprocating the sentiments, Bilawal said that despite ideological differences, "we stand together" on the Palestinian issue. "The whole of Pakistan must unite, political parties are not ready to shake hands due to differences, but this is a positive step forward in Pakistan's politics."

Meanwhile, the government and the PPP formed a joint committee for Palestine Solidarity Day and All Parties Conference, comprising Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Sherry Rehman and Nayyar Bukhari.