Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discuss expansion of Makkah Route Initiative for Hajj pilgrims

KARACHI: Thousands of supporters of a prominent Pakistani religio-political party poured into the streets of Lahore and other major cities on Friday to protest Israel’s military strikes in Gaza, with their leaders demanding urgent action from Muslim states to stop the bloodshed.

The call for nationwide demonstrations came from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) after intensified conflict in Gaza, which began in October 2023. International efforts for a ceasefire have not held, with reports indicating the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 50,000, with a significant number of women and children among the casualties.

Pakistan has long advocated for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital and does not recognize Israel.

Addressing a large gathering in Lahore, the JI chief, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, urged Muslim leaders to get united.

“Liberating this occupied land is the duty of every Muslim,” he said. “When our paths are blocked [as individuals], it becomes the responsibility of [Muslim] rulers and their armies. Even a small step forward can lead to a ceasefire.”

In his speech, Rehman emphasized the historical and ideological connections between Pakistan and Palestine, remembering how his country's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, made them clear.

“When Israel was imposed as an illegitimate entity [over Palestinian territory and people] in 1948, Quaid-e-Azam [Jinnah] said that Israel was the illegitimate child of the West, a tool created for their use,” he continued.

The JI chief also highlighted the engagement of Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, Pakistan’s national poet-philosopher, with the Palestinian issue, mentioning his attendance at a conference in Palestine in 1931.

“That is the foundation of Pakistan’s connection with Palestine, and it was a stated policy of our country that we promised never to recognize Israel,” he added. “So, if anyone talks about a two-state solution, or speaks in favor of Israel in secrecy, we want to make it clear that there is only one state — the state of Palestine — and it is under occupation.”

Rehman called for sustained public pressure on governments around the world, hoping it would force them to address the issue.

“Pressurize your government through public protest,” he said. “Protests have erupted in Bangladesh, in India and across Europe and America — people are rising. Don’t let this flame of resistance die. Be ready for the struggle.”

He maintained he would consult religious scholars and speak with other parties to unite for a powerful movement.

“We are already in communication with the Palestinian leadership. One day, we will call for a complete nationwide strike across Pakistan,” he said, appealing to traders and the general public to prepare for future mobilization and boycott of Israeli and Western products.

“We do not stand with the oppressors,” he continued. “The Palestinian resistance is legitimate under the UN Charter.”

Meanwhile, in Karachi, hundreds gathered outside the Bait-ul-Mukarram Mosque in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighborhood, where the city’s JI chief, Munem Zafar, addressed the protesters.

“The massacre in Gaza continues unabated. Zionist forces are committing genocide. Over 60,000 people have been martyred in the last 18 months,” he said, adding that 90 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure had been destroyed by Israeli airstrikes.

Zafar announced a “Solidarity with Gaza March” to be held in Karachi on April 13 along Sharah-e-Faisal, to be led by Rehman, the party’s central chief.

“We want to awaken the conscience of the Muslim rulers,” he said. “We urge families — children, elders, women — to join in large numbers.”

The party also called for a boycott of goods produced by companies supporting Israel.

Hundreds of protests were also held outside various mosques after the Friday prayer congregations in Karachi and other Pakistani cities on JI’s call.

ISLAMABAD: Etihad Airways said this week it would launch a new route to Pakistan’s northwestern Peshawar city in September as part of a broader expansion of its global network.
The route will link Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport with Bacha Khan International Airport in Peshawar starting September 29.
Etihad, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, already operates flights to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, making Peshawar its fourth nonstop destination in Pakistan.
“We are thrilled to further expand our presence in Pakistan with the launch of our daily service between Abu Dhabi and Peshawar,” Antonoaldo Neves, the airline’s chief executive officer, said.
“This new route reflects our commitment to providing vital connectivity for travelers between Pakistan and the Gulf, Africa, Europe and North America,” he added.
Etihad will initially operate the route five times a week using Airbus A320 family aircraft, with daily service beginning November 22. The aircraft will feature eight Business Class and 150 Economy Class seats.
The announcement comes amid a busy year for the airline, which has added 16 new destinations in 2025, including Prague, Warsaw, Algiers, Tunis, Atlanta and Addis Ababa.
Etihad is also boosting frequency to Karachi to 17 flights a week starting October 1 and expanding service to major European cities such as Paris, Milan and Frankfurt.
Passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi will also have access to the airline’s Stopover program, offering up to two complimentary nights at premium hotels in the UAE capital.