ISLAMABAD: A case has been registered against the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), including former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, for participating in a march in support of Palestine in Islamabad without the administration’s permission.
According to the first information report (FIR), JI leaders Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Kashif Chaudhry, and Nasrullah Randhawa, along with 500 others, organized a procession and attempted to enter the Red Zone, contravening Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The FIR stated that the participants breached barricades and clashed with the police. It further noted that the protesters, while blocking Suhrawardy Road, inconvenienced the public and delivered anti-state speeches.
The legal action against the JI leaders reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding demonstrations in support of Palestine, which have escalated following recent events in the region. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has evoked strong emotions globally, with many expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
In response to the case registration, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan took to Facebook, asserting that the government and Islamabad police have lodged another case against them for protesting against Israeli atrocities in Gaza and US support for Israel.
“The movement in favor of Palestine will persist despite the government’s efforts to suppress it through false cases, arrests, and violence,” added the JI leader.
The incident underscores broader debates about freedom of expression and assembly in Pakistan, with activists and political leaders often facing legal challenges for participating in protests and demonstrations. The situation highlights the delicate balance between security concerns and the fundamental rights of citizens to peacefully express their views.
