On Thursday, December 28th, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar declared a prohibition on New Year celebrations in Pakistan.
In a concise national address on Thursday, December 28th, Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar imposed a ban on New Year celebrations in Pakistan as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Gaza. He urged the nation to demonstrate support for the war-torn Palestinians and emphasized the importance of exhibiting sobriety and humility during the New Year. Kakar stated that given the alarming situation in Palestine and to express solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters, the government will strictly prohibit any form of New Year events.
"The entire Pakistani nation and the Muslim world are deeply distressed by the senseless killing of innocent children and the genocide of unarmed Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank," he expressed. He mentioned that Pakistan has already sent two aid packages to Palestine, with a third package currently in the process of preparation.
Since the commencement of the war, over 21,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, have lost their lives, as reported by the health ministry in Gaza, which is under the control of Hamas. The sustained warfare has forced approximately 85% of Gaza's population, totaling 2.3 million people, to flee their residences. With Israel expanding its ground offensive, it is anticipated that more Gazans will face displacement.
Kakar claimed that Israeli forces have exceeded all bounds of violence and injustice, resulting in the death of approximately 9,000 children since the commencement of the Israeli bombardment on October 7th.
Kakar mentioned that Pakistan had dispatched two aid packages to Palestine, and a third one was in the process of being prepared. He underscored Pakistan's persistent endeavors to bring attention to the challenges faced by the Palestinian people on international forums. Kakar affirmed the nation's dedication to sustaining these efforts with the goal of putting an end to the bloodshed inflicted by Israel.
New Year celebrations in Pakistan are typically not extravagant, mainly because Islamic groups, aiming to curtail the festivities, employ various methods, including the use of force.
