The official day of mourning and solidarity with the Palestinians and Al Quds Day were observed in the federal capital on Friday under tight security to express solidarity with the people of Israeli-occupied Palestine in their just and freedom struggle against Israeli occupation and subjugation. The Al Quds Day is observed annually on the last Friday of Ramazan to oppose Israel's occupation of Jerusalem.
A procession was taken out from G-6/4 Imambargah Hasan-e-Ashri and culminated at Fazl Haq road after passing through various routes. Hundreds of protesters, including women and children, participated in it. The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans such as down with America, down with Israel and Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Small rallies were also taken out after Juma prayers, which were addressed by the local leaders and special prayer offered on Friday. Addressing the rallies, the leaders urged the world to come forward and help Palestinians in liberating them from the Israeli occupation and subjugation.
The day was also observed officially as mourning day as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced solidarity with the people of Palestine who have been subject to terror, brutalities and war crimes by Israel. The prime minister has also ordered contribution of one million dollars to UN flash appeal for the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip. The district administration had deputed 3,500 policemen along with contingents of rangers for guarding rallies to avert any untoward incident. The police also sealed different streets leading to Imambargah and roads for traffic.
The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) diverted traffic to alternate routes and deputed 532 policemen on the occasion. However, city witnessed one of the worst-ever traffic jams as almost all roads including Fazl e Haq road, Embassy road and Jinnah Avenue and linking arteries were packed with thousands of vehicles. People faced immense problems in reaching their destination.
A police official said elaborate security arrangements were made outside mosques, Imambargahs at exit and entry points of the city. The Ministry of Interior has already issued directives to police to beef up security on the last day of Ramazan keeping in view looming danger of terrorist attacks, while the district administration has instructed mosque committees to ensure that all gates of the mosques must remain closed so that safety of faithful could be ensured.