Police Detain Human Rights Activists in Islamabad Protesting Israels War in Gaza

Islamabad police briefly detain senior human rights activists protesting against Israels war in Gaza. The peaceful demonstration drew attention to the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

Islamabad Pakistan – May 31 2025 — A group of senior human rights activists were briefly detained by Islamabad police on Friday while staging a peaceful protest against Israels ongoing war in Gaza. The demonstrators had gathered outside the National Press Club to denounce the escalating humanitarian crisis in Palestine and express solidarity with the people of Gaza.

According to eyewitnesses the protest in Islamabad attracted rights defenders civil society members and students calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging the Pakistani government to take a firmer diplomatic stance against Israels actions.

Among the detained was renowned human rights campaigner Tahira Abdullah and Samina Khan who has been vocal about the humanitarian violations occurring in the occupied Palestinian territories. The police detained several protestors under Section 144 citing unauthorized assembly in a high security zone.

Gaza Crisis Sparks Global Outrage

The protest was part of a broader wave of global demonstrations condemning Israels military operations in Gaza which have resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and widespread destruction. In recent weeks protests have erupted in cities across the world including London New York Kuala Lumpur and now Islamabad.

Activists in Islamabad emphasized the need for Pakistan to uphold its longstanding position on Palestine and called for increased diplomatic pressure on Tel Aviv. Banners with slogans like “Free Palestine” “Stop the Gaza Genocide” and “End Israeli Apartheid” were seen throughout the demonstration.

Islamabad Police Under Scrutiny

The brief detention of peaceful protestors in Pakistans capital has sparked criticism from local and international rights organizations. Amnesty International South Asia issued a statement urging the Pakistani authorities to respect citizens right to peaceful assembly.

Local journalists and social media users also raised concerns over the growing trend of silencing dissenting voices under the pretext of maintaining law and order. “Silencing peaceful protest against war crimes is itself a violation of human rights” wrote one user on X formerly Twitter.

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Call for Global Action

Protestors in Islamabad reiterated their demand for the international community to act urgently. “What is happening in Gaza is not just a conflict—it is a humanitarian catastrophe” said one of the organizers. “We demand an immediate ceasefire and international accountability for war crimes.”

The Islamabad protest highlights the mounting public pressure on governments in the Global South to not remain silent on Israels actions. As Gaza continues to suffer under blockade and bombardment voices from Pakistan and beyond are growing louder in demanding justice for Palestine.