D-Chowk Dharna

Last updated
D-Chowk Dharna
Part of the Israel–Hamas war protests
Date13 May – 22 June 2024
(1 month and 2 weeks)
Location
D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan
Caused by Israel–Hamas war
MethodsDemonstrations, sit-ins, marches
Resulted inSuccessful Negotiations with Government (See Demands) [1]
Parties
Lead figures
Casualties and losses
2 killed, 4 injured (in one incident)
Protests resulted in clashes with police and a tragic incident where a car ran over protesters.

The D-Chowk Dharna was a series of protests held at D-Chowk in Islamabad, Pakistan, organized by the Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, A senior politician in Jamaat-e-Islami and former senator of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan [3] [4] [5] [6] The protests were held in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with participants demanding decisive action from the Pakistani government and the international community. [7] [8] [9]

Contents

On the 27th day of the sit-in to express love for Palestine and Gaza, D-Chowk was renamed Gaza Chowk. It was appealed to the public that now D-Chowk will be written, said and called Gaza Chowk. The board of Gaza Chowk was unveiled. [10]

Major incidents

Car incident

On May 21, 2024, an incident occurred during a protest where a speeding car ran over participants of the protest who were sleeping on a portion of Jinnah Avenue, resulting in two deaths and four injuries, including a police inspector. [11] [12] The driver, identified as a lieutenant in the Pakistan Army and son of a brigadier, was later arrested and handed over to the Military Police for legal proceedings. [13] [14] [15]

Clashes with Police

Protesters clashed with the police on several occasions. In one instance, protesters attempted to enter Islamabad's red zone, leading to clashes with police. The police lathi-charged the protestors as a result of which some protestors were injured. In response, the protesters pelted stones at the police. [9]

Response from authorities

The Islamabad Police booked over 350 protesters, including former Jamaat-i-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, on several charges. The allegations included pelting stones at law enforcement officials and threatening them with dire consequences. [3] Despite these actions, protesters continued their demonstrations, staged sit-ins and announced plans for future protests. [4] [9]

Public response and further actions

The protests gained public attention and support. Various groups including the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) joined the protests. [16] Protesters organized a hike in Islamabad to demand concrete steps for a ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of a humanitarian aid corridor. [8] The protesters also demanded Pakistan to take decisive action for immediate international intervention and increase pressure for an immediate ceasefire. [7]

Demands by Save Gaza Campaign

  1. Prime Minister's Response: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif must respond to letters from Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh, affirming Pakistan's support for their resistance efforts
  2. Relief Fleet: The Government of Pakistan must ensure the entry of a relief flotilla into the Gaza through sea route, with assistance from the Save Gaza Campaign.
  3. ICJ Involvement: Pakistan should join South Africa in taking action at the ICJ regarding matters related to Gaza.
  4. Justice and Compensation: Justice should be provided for those martyred during a sit-in, and the families of the martyrs must receive compensation from the government.
  5. Quashing of Cases: Legal cases against the Save Gaza Campaign and Islami Jamiat Talaba must be quashed.
  6. Role in Ceasefire: The Government of Pakistan should actively work towards a ceasefire in Palestine and advocate for a ceasefire resolution in the United Nations Security Council.

In a joint video released on Saturday night, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, assured that the following demands from the Save Gaza Campaign would be met soon. [17]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Participants of Save Gaza Campaign end sit-in at D-Chowk Islamabad after 41-days after successful negotiations with Mohsin Naqvi". Sabah News . June 22, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Founder of Save Gaza Campaign Visits Karachi Press Club". Karachi Press Club . April 7, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Mar 26, 2024 | Islamabad police book over 350 for Gaza demo". Dawn Epaper. March 26, 2024.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. 1 2 Bashir, Fahad (March 24, 2024). "'Save Gaza' protesters end Islamabad sit-in, police try to arrest JI Senator Ghani". Aaj English TV.
  5. ↑ "Participants of Save Gaza campaign end Islamabad sit-in". Radio Pakistan . June 22, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  6. ↑ Staff Reporter (June 23, 2024). "'Save Gaza' sit-in ends". Dawn News . Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "Pakistanis urge government to take 'decisive action' for Gaza ceasefire, delivery of humanitarian aid". Arab News PK. March 24, 2024.
  8. 1 2 "Pakistanis organize hike to demand 'concrete steps' for ceasefire in Gaza, aid delivery". Arab News PK. April 21, 2024.
  9. 1 2 3 Asghar, Naeem (March 25, 2024). "Gaza protesters, police clash near red-zone". The Express Tribune.
  10. ↑ "اسلام آباد کے ڈی چوک کا نام تبدیل، غزہ چوک رکھ دیا گیا". 8 June 2024.
  11. ↑ "May 21, 2024 | Two killed, four injured as car runs over protesters in their sleep". Dawn Epaper. May 21, 2024.[ permanent dead link ]
  12. ↑ Report, Recorder (May 22, 2024). "Save Gaza Rally: Case registered against driver for running over protestors". Brecorder.
  13. ↑ Sohaib, Rija (May 26, 2024). "Military Police Takes Custody of Army Officer For Killing 2 Pro-Palestine Protesters".
  14. ↑ "May 25, 2024 | Driver handed over to Military Police after 'Save Gaza' accident". Dawn Epaper. May 25, 2024. Archived from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  15. ↑ "May 25, 2024 | Driver handed over to Military Police after 'Save Gaza' accident". Dawn Epaper. May 25, 2024.[ permanent dead link ]
  16. ↑ "PIMA Women Wing Stands in Solidarity with Women of Gaza on International Women's Day".
  17. ↑ Hamza, Ali (June 24, 2024). "Save Gaza Campaign finishes Islamabad sit-in after negotiations with interior minister". The Nation .
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