Pakistani Government has announced a committee's formation to track companies funding Israel's military activities in Gaza and recommend banning their products. This update was conveyed by a close associate of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday.
Political adviser Rana Sanaullah disclosed this decision after resolving a protest led by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a religious group demanding a product ban on companies aiding Israel and increased humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
Following an agreement with the government, the TLP concluded its week-long demonstration. They had also insisted on officially declaring Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a terrorist. The information ministry confirmed the cessation of the protest post-agreement.
At a press briefing in Islamabad, Sanaullah accused Israel, under Netanyahu’s administration, of perpetrating war crimes. He highlighted Pakistan’s vehement denunciation of these cruel actions, emphasized during the Shanghai conference, and reiterated the government’s pledge to support Palestinians.
Sanaullah outlined the committee’s task of identifying and boycotting products from companies linked to Israel's genocide on Gaza and Palestine. He underscored the necessity of cutting financial support to those responsible for violence against Palestinians.
Calls for boycotting foreign companies suspected of supporting Israel have grown in Pakistan since the conflict's onset. Social media campaigns and influential figures have encouraged consumers to choose alternative products.
The conflict has resulted in substantial casualties, with over 39,000 lives lost, many being women and children. This has sparked worldwide outrage and demonstrations, with Pakistan’s civil society and political groups consistently leading pro-Palestine rallies.
The TLP established its protest camp at the Faizabad Interchange, a crucial traffic hub between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Known for its rigid stance on blasphemy laws, the party has held similar protests at this location before, causing significant traffic disruptions between the two cities.
Image: DIW-Aigen
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