Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a nationwide strike on April 26 to protest against Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and to express solidarity with Palestinians. The call was made by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman during a large pro-Palestine rally held on Sunday along the Islamabad Expressway.

Rehan, who approached thousands of participants, condemned what he described as genocide in Gaza, where more than 51,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since Israel launched his military response to Hamas’ attack on October 7.

“We want to enforce a complete strike from Chitral to Karachi,” he declared. “We visit every market and ask them to shut down to support Palestine.” He also called for a nationwide boycott of products linked to Israeli interests and called for coordinated efforts, including strikes and online activism.

Rehman demanded that Pakistan officially recognize Hamas and allow the group to open a representative office in the country and called Hamas “a democratically elected force under international law.” “We’re not slaves to the west,” he said. “Supporters of the Prophet (PBUH) do not accept the submission of the United States or Israel.”

In a show with support for the strike, several major dealer associations over Karachi have promised to close the companies on April 26. This includes All Karachi Tajir Itthad and Karachi Electronics Dealers Association.

Ji Karachi Chief Monem Zafar met with leading traders on Friday. “We stand by the people of Gaza,” said Attique Mir, president of Traders’ Alliance. “We will fully cooperate to make the strike successful.”