WEBDESK: A nationwide shutter-down strike was held across Pakistan on April 26, 2025, to show solidarity with Palestinians suffering in Gaza. The shutter-down strike was called by Jamaat-e-Islami along with various traders’ associations, receiving a strong response in all major cities.
Markets, shopping centers, and businesses remained closed in cities like Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar. Streets looked emptier than usual as traffic thinned out, and lawyers boycotted court activities in support of the shutter-down strike.
Protest rallies are being held in various areas to show support for the people of Gaza.
Leaders like Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman of Jamaat-e-Islami stressed that Pakistanis would not stay silent in the face of Palestinian suffering. They called for global action and criticized international bodies for their inaction.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued today, All Pakistan Traders Association President Ajmal Baloch announced that traders will stage a protest at Abpara Chowk in Islamabad at 5 PM. He also called for the resignation of the UN Secretary-General over the Gaza crisis. They declared that the strike was not just about markets closing but about standing firmly with oppressed Palestinians.
“All of Pakistan is expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine,” said President of the Central Organisation of Traders Pakistan, Kashif Chaudhry. He called on the Pakistani government to impose restrictions on Israeli imports and ban the production and sale of Israeli products within the country.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 61,700 Palestinian deaths reported since 2023 due to Israeli military operations. Organizers of the shutter-down strike said their message was clear: Pakistan stands with Gaza and will continue to raise its voice for justice.
