ISLAMABAD: A popular Pakistani religio-political party shifted its Gaza Solidarity March from outside the United States embassy to Expressway between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, its spokesperson confirmed Sunday, after authorities sealed all routes to the Red Zone in the federal capital that houses embassies and sensitive government buildings.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) announced to organize the march toward the US diplomatic mission in Islamabad during its recent rallies in Karachi, Lahore and other Pakistani cities to protest Washington’s support for Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
The party has also given a call for a nationwide strike against Israel’s war on April 22.
“JI will now hold the Gaza March on Islamabad Expressway near Zero Point, where a stage will be set up at the H-8 overhead bridge, and the party chief, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, along with other central leaders, will address the gathering,” Aamir Baloch, the JI spokesperson for foreign media, said in a statement.
He promised “a sea of people” in Islamabad as the march to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Gaza proceeded.
“We urge the government to refrain from underhand tactics and ensure all routes remain open,” he told Arab News in response to a question about road closures across Islamabad.
The Islamabad administration issued a traffic advisory earlier in the day, saying all roads to the Red Zone had been closed except for two entry points.
“Containers are placed at all major Red Zone access points, including D-Chowk,” the administration said in a statement. “Only Margalla Road and Bari Imam gates are open.”
Responding to these developments, the JI general secretary, Amirul Azeem, said in a video message his party’s march would remain peaceful like its recent demonstrations in other parts of the country.
“The government of Pakistan has decided to stop this march,” he said. “I request the people of Pakistan to actively participate in it.”
Pakistan does not maintain diplomatic ties with Israel and has consistently condemned its military actions in Gaza, particularly the killing of thousands of unarmed Palestinian women and children. Islamabad has also urged the resumption of humanitarian aid to the besieged territory and called for renewed negotiations aimed at a two-state solution.
It has long supported the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has killed over 51,000 people and injured more than 116,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s national airline launched the first Lahore to Baku flight on Sunday, marking its latest step to expand travel links amid Islamabad’s push for deeper connectivity with Central Asian states. 

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) launched its weekly flight from Lahore to Baku as Islamabad strengthens diplomatic and trade ties with Azerbaijan, a key partner in its broader regional outreach. The new route is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

PIA’s PK-159 flight departed from Lahore Airport at 11:50 am with 152 passengers for Baku. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov attended a ceremony at the airport before the flight’s departure.

“PIA is expanding its network, and Baku is an important addition to this chain,” Asif was quoted as saying by the airline. “This flight will significantly strengthen relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.”

The new flight service is seen as part of Pakistan’s ongoing quest to improve air connectivity with countries in Central Asia, where it has been seeking to expand trade and diplomatic engagement in recent years.

Pakistan is aggressively eyeing opportunities to expand trade and tourism ties with regional allies, Gulf countries, Central Asian states and others as it targets sustainable economic growth.