Business associations across Rawalpindi and Islamabad have officially announced a complete shutdown strike on Saturday in protest against Israeli aggression and to express solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The strike has been jointly declared by all major trader bodies in the twin cities, including the Central Traders Association of Rawalpindi.
Religious and political parties such as Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Sunni Tehreek, Tehreek-e-Labbaik, Tehreek-e-Jafaria Pakistan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and Awam Pakistan Party have also voiced full support for the strike and announced plans to hold rallies.
Goods transport unions have likewise backed the strike call.
Alongside the shutdown protest, rallies will be held in major marketplaces and on central roads. Protesters plan to burn Israeli flags and effigies of the Israeli Prime Minister.
Trader leaders from various markets — including Sharjeel Mir, Shahid Ghafoor Pracha, Ghulam Qadir Mir, Qaiser Kayani, Faheem Siddiqui, Hammad Qureshi, Sheikh Hafeez, Naveed Kanwal, and Tariq Butt — stated that the business community in Rawalpindi will observe the strike in unison with the rest of the country.
They appealed to the public and fellow traders to suspend business for one day to raise their voices against the atrocities in Gaza. "Palestine is not just a piece of land - it is part of the Muslim Ummah," the leaders said.
"When one part of the body is in pain, the whole body feels it. All Islamic countries must feel this pain and play a positive role in support of Palestinian Muslims."
The trader representatives condemned Israel for its relentless oppression of the Palestinian people and criticised international organisations and the United Nations for their silence.
"These institutions advocate compassion for animals and birds, yet remain silent on crimes against humanity," they said.
They urged the Government of Pakistan to take a firm stand in support of Palestine and to engage with other Islamic nations to form a united front.
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