By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar announced on Thursday a complete ban on New Year celebrations across the country in a show of support for the Palestinians suffering under Israel’s ongoing assault on Gaza.
In a televised address, Kakar said the ban was a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people, who have been suffering from the “worst form of state terrorism” by Israel since October 7.
“Keeping in mind the seriously concerning situation in Palestine and to show solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, there will be a strict ban by the government on holding any kind of event for New Year,” Kakar said.
He urged the nation to pray for the Palestinians and to refrain from any festivities or fireworks at the New Year.
Kakar said Pakistan had been raising its voice for the Palestinian cause at every international forum and would continue to do so until Israel stopped its aggression and respected the rights of the Palestinians.
“Pakistan has always stood by the Palestinian cause and will continue to do so,” he said, adding that Islamabad had sent two consignments of humanitarian aid to Gaza and a third one would soon follow.
He also said Pakistan was in contact with Jordan and Egypt to facilitate the delivery of aid and the evacuation of the wounded from Gaza.
Gaza, home to 2.4 million people, has been facing acute shortages of water, food, fuel and medicines, with only limited aid allowed in by Israel. The United Nations says nearly 1.9 million Gazans have been displaced by the fighting.
Kakar’s announcement came hours after the military expressed its full support for the Palestinians and condemned the Israeli attacks as “serious human rights violations and war crimes.”
In a statement, the military said it stood by the Palestinian people in their “just struggle for freedom and dignity” and demanded an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Israel has killed more than 21,000 Palestinians in Gaza since launching a military offensive on Oct. 7, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The Israeli air and ground assaults have triggered widespread condemnation from Muslim countries, including Pakistan, and calls for an immediate cease-fire.
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