SHANGLA: As business centres across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province observed a shutter-down strike on the call of trader organisations and Jamaat-i-Islami to protest Israeli aggression in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestinians, a trader was killed during a clash in Shangla district.

The police said Alpuri Medical Store Association president Malik Adalat Khan asked pharmacy owner Rasheed Ali in the Kuza Alpuri area to close his shop for the strike, but he refused leading to a scuffle. Mr Khan was fatally struck on the head with a heavy tool.

The police arrested the suspected killer and his sons after registering a murder case against him.

The district reported a complete strike by traders. Rallies were also staged in Bisham, Alpuri, Puran, Chakesar and Martung, with participants shouting slogans against Israel, the US and India.

In Peshawar, shops in Qissa Khawani Bazaar and major commercial centres on Rampura Gate, Chowk Yadgar, Ashraf Road, Chowk Nasir Khan, Khyber Bazaar, Peshawar Saddar, University Road and Charsadda Road remained closed. Traders put up camps to protest Israeli atrocities against Palestinians, including women and children.

Public transport remained off the roads. However, the BRT service continued uninterrupted.

Private schools and colleges closed their campuses in the capital city.

Traders Alliance Peshawar Cantonment, Shaheen Transport Owners Association, Tajir Insaf, Public Transport Owners Association took out rallies and condemned Israelis for subjecting Palestinians to rights violations, and attacking Muslim holy sites. The speakers urged the Ummah to take a unified stand on the Palestine issue. They also demanded a complete ban on the import of Israeli products in Pakistan.

The protesters also flayed Indian aggression in the occupied Kashmir.

In most bazaars, traders hoisted Palestine’s flags and displayed banners in support of Palestinians. Demonstrators shouted anti-Israel and anti-US America slogans and vowed to support Palestinians in the “current hour of need.”

A rally was taken out by the Jamaat-i-Islami and Pakistan Business Forum from the major commercial centre Ashraf Road. The participants marched through several markets before reaching Milad Chowk where Jamaat-i-Islami leaders Abdul Wasi, Bahrullah Khan, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali and Khalid Gul Mohmand said Israel had crossed all limits of cruelty and brutality against people of Palestine, especially those in Gaza, during the last one and a half years.

They insisted that the strike against Israeli aggression was successful, showing that Pakistanis stood with the oppressed Palestinians.

“The hearts of Pakistani people beat with Palestinians’ and they’ve shown it to the world today,” a speaker said.

The speakers also alleged that India was trying to drive the region to the war. They warned Indian forces against attacking Pakistani territory and said Pakistan would aptly respond to Indian military strikes.

Protesters set the Israeli flag on fire and urged Muslims to boycott Israeli products in solidarity with Palestinians.

A shutter-down strike was also reported in Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Charsadda, Dir, Swat, Mohmand and Khyber districts, where JI workers and traders took out rallies to express solidarity with Palestinians, especially Gazans, against Israeli aggression.

The speakers complained about the “silence” of Islamic nations on the Palestine issue and demanded “military and economic actions” against Israel.

They also warned India against waging a war against Pakistan.

Upper parts of the Hazara division also witnessed a complete shutter-down strike against Israeli aggression in Palestine.

Traders and JI workers staged rallies in Mansehra, Balakot, Oghi and other parts of the Hazara division, denouncing “genocide” of Palestinians by Israeli forces. They demanded that the international community play its due role in ending Israeli excesses against Palestinians.

Complete wheel-jam and shutter-down strikes were observed across Lower Dir district, including Timergara, Chakdara, Talash, Balambat, Samar Bagh, Munda, Mayar, Khall, Kumbar and Maidan.

Business centres and schools remained closed, while vehicular traffic was thin.

During a Timergara protest led by the traders’ association, drew large crowds of traders, students and people from other walks of life. They shouted slogans against Israel and for Palestinians and demanded global intervention to check atrocities in Palestine.

They also denounced Indian aggression against Kashmiris.

The protests remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported.

A complete shutter-down strike was also reported in Abbottabad, Havelian and Galiyat region, with traders showing solidarity with the people of Palestine and protesting Israeli aggression.

All major markets and business centres remained closed throughout the day. However, pharmacies, vegetable and fruit stalls and some restaurants were open.

In Abbottabad, a large rally was taken out from the main bazaar against the Israeli assault on Gaza, killing of women and children, and the targeted bombing of schools and hospitals.

The JI district emir, Anjuman Tajiran leaders and other community representatives led the demonstrators, who carried banners and shouted slogans against Israel and for Palestinians.

KOHAT also witnessed a complete shutter-down strike.

A rally was taken out from the Tehsil Gate that culminated at King Gate after passing through the main bazaar.

Traders, JI leaders and other speakers criticised the international community for what they called keeping mum over the killing of children and women in the Israeli bombing of schools and tented hospitals.

They said the Muslim countries should get together to protect Palestinians from Israeli aggression.

The speakers also denounced “war-mongering” by India and said the nation stood with armed forces in their efforts to protect the motherland.

Rasheed Paracha said the unity of Muslim world could help check the “massacre” of innocent Palestinian children and women.

Also, traders in Bajaur tribal district observed a shutter-down strike to express solidarity with Palestinians against Israeli atrocities.

Most shops and business centres remained closed in Khar and other areas.

JI leaders and traders declared the strike successful and said it demonstrated Pakistanis’ solidarity with Palestinians against Israeli aggression. Public transport was affected by the strike across the district.

Charsadda and Malakand districts also reported shutter-down strikes against Israeli assault in Gaza. Rallies were also staged in the region to show support for the Palestine cause, with speakers saying Pakistanis stand with their Palestinian brothers and sisters against Israeli aggression.

The protesters also shouted slogans against the Indian government over its atrocities against Kashmiris.

Published in Dawn, April 27th, 2025