On April 26, 2025, Pakistan observed a nationwide shutdown strike, called by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and traders’ associations, to protest Israeli military actions in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestinians. Major markets, businesses, and courts closed across cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Charsadda, with reduced traffic signalling widespread participation.
The strike halted commercial activity, with shops shuttered and protest rallies held in multiple cities. Lawyers boycotted court proceedings, amplifying the disruption. JI chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman condemned the “genocide” in Gaza, where over 51,355 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s offensive began in October 2023, following Hamas’s attack that killed 1,200 and took 251 hostages.
All Pakistan Traders Association President Ajmal Baloch announced a protest at 5 PM at Islamabad’s Abpara Chowk, demanding the UN Secretary-General’s resignation over the Gaza crisis. Traders also supported a boycott of Israeli-linked products, aligning with JI’s call for economic resistance.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Gaza’s Health Ministry reports 1,978 deaths and 5,207 injuries since Israel broke a January ceasefire on March 18, 2025. The 18-month conflict has killed over 61,700, with thousands presumed dead under rubble. The health system is devastated, with hospitals destroyed and medics killed, exacerbating the humanitarian toll.
Read: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Traders Announce Strike in Solidarity with Palestine
Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. have failed to broker a lasting ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as disputes persist. Pakistan, which does not recognise Israel, advocates for a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The strike underscores Pakistan’s unified stance on Palestine, but its economic impact raises concerns. As protests continue, the focus remains on whether international efforts can halt the Gaza conflict. Stay tuned for updates.
