Pro-Palestine Rally
In Islamabad, police intervened to prevent a pro-Palestine rally, led by former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed, from reaching the US embassy at Abpara Chowk.
The rally, organized by the Muslim Tulba Mahaz under Mushtaq’s leadership, drew participants who had gathered after Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid Shuhada to show solidarity with Palestine.
As the protesters attempted to march towards the US embassy, tensions quickly escalated. A heavy police presence had been stationed along both sides of the road near Abpara Market, anticipating the crowd’s movements.
The situation turned confrontational when the police, in an effort to stop the demonstrators, reportedly used excessive force to disperse them.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos as clashes erupted between law enforcement officers and the rally participants.
Amid the unrest, former Senator Mushtaq Ahmed and around 20 others were arrested by the police. Eyewitness accounts also allege that Senator Mushtaq was subjected to particularly harsh treatment during the confrontation.
Despite their efforts, the protesters were unable to break through the police barricades to continue their march to the US embassy, which was a key objective of the rally.
The incident intensified when police ordered the closure of Abpara Market. Shopkeepers, who were already uneasy about the unfolding situation, resisted the closure order.
Heated exchanges occurred between business owners and police officers, further adding to the tension in the area. Some shopkeepers openly opposed the police’s decision, and tempers flared as they argued against shutting down their businesses.
Following the dispersal of the protest, small groups of people remained in the market, unwilling to leave the area despite the heavy police presence.
Law enforcement continued to maintain control of the situation, with police vans and armored vehicles arriving at Abpara Chowk to secure the location.
The day’s events highlighted both the determination of the pro-Palestine demonstrators and the heavy-handed approach of the authorities in preventing the rally from proceeding.
The police action, including the arrests of Senator Mushtaq and others, as well as the forced closure of businesses, drew criticism from various quarters, adding to the growing tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the capital.
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