Massive Youm-e-Quds rally draws thousands to MA Jinnah Road as speakers urge Pakistan to take a clear stand
Pakistani girls hold toy guns during a rally to mark Al-Quds Day (Jerusalem), a commemoration held annually on the last Friday of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in Karachi on March 13, 2026. PHOTO: AFP
In a sea of flags, fiery speeches and resounding slogans, thousands poured into Karachi’s streets on Friday to mark Youm-e-Quds on the eve of Jumatul Wida, turning the city’s main artery into a powerful show of solidarity with the Palestinians and a platform for sharp criticism of Israel and its allies.
Thousands of protesters marched with echoes and waving Palestinian flags as the city joined nationwide celebrations of Youm-e-Quds, a day dedicated to expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Organized by Tehreek-e-Azadi-e-Quds Pakistan, the central Azadi-e-Qibla-e-Awwal rally began at Numaish Chowrangi and moved along MA Jinnah Road to Tibet Centre, where a grand concluding gathering was held.
Pakistanis hold portraits of Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a rally to mark Al-Quds Day (Jerusalem), a commemoration held annually on the last Friday of Ramazan, in Karachi on March 13, 2026. — AFP
People from all walks of life, including religious scholars of various sects, political leaders, lawyers, doctors and civil society members, participated in the march along with thousands of women, men and children.
Addressing the participants, clerics said that Youm-e-Quds was not only a day to raise voices for Palestinians, but also for oppressed people around the world. They said freedom-loving individuals globally had responded to the call of late Iranian leader Imam Khomeini by highlighting the plight of the Palestinian people.
Read more: Karachi traffic police announces road closures, diversions for Youm-e-Quds rally
Speakers said the Muslim world faced difficult challenges, but maintained that the presence of “conscious youth linked to the axis of resistance” would prevent what they described as expansionist plans such as “Greater Israel”.
When the demonstration reached the Tibet Centre, a large closing gathering was held where speakers criticized the policies of the US, Israel, Britain and India and accused them of aggression against the Muslim world.
They also discussed regional political issues and called on the government of Pakistan to clarify its position on international developments.
Women carry coffins draped with the national flags of the United States and Israel during a rally to mark Al-Quds Day (Jerusalem), a commemoration held annually on the last Friday of Ramazan, in Karachi on March 13, 2026. — AFP
Several speakers demanded that Parliament convene a joint session to discuss the situation in the region and Pakistan’s foreign policy stance. They also emphasized continued support for the Palestinian cause and reiterated calls for the liberation of Palestine.
The participants carried Palestinian flags, posters and portraits of Iranian leaders while chanting slogans against the US, Israel and India. Pictures and flags representing these countries were also set on fire during the demonstration.
At the site, young students paid tribute to children killed in the Iranian city of Minab, while dozens of school bags and flowers were placed in their memory.
Among those who addressed the gathering were ISO Central President Ameen Shirazi, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Maulana Amin Shaheedi, Maulana Nazir Abbas Taqvi, Karachi Bar Association President Aamir Nawaz Warraich and Maulana Mirza Yousuf Hussain, among others.
