Civil Society Islamabad staged a demonstration in front of the National Press Club on Friday to show solidarity with the Samood Flotilla and the people of Gaza. Citizens from diverse backgrounds, including human rights activists, students, media professionals and other members of civil society, joined the gathering to demand urgent protection for the humanitarian mission.
Dr. Abdul Salam, representing Civil Society Islamabad, addressed participants and reaffirmed strong support for Palestinian rights while condemning recent Israeli aggression. Demonstrators raised slogans calling for international intervention and stressed that the Samood Flotilla is a humanitarian effort, not a political maneuver.
Dr. Salam urged the Government of Pakistan, the international community and leadership of Muslim countries to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard the flotilla from possible threats. He described the mission as a “last ray of hope” for starving, wounded and sick civilians in Gaza and highlighted that the vessels are carrying essential supplies such as baby milk, drinking water, food, medicines and other necessities.
Speakers noted that volunteers from 44 countries are risking their lives to deliver aid and praised Italy and Spain for deploying ships to offer rescue services near the convoy. Organizers also called on the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to use their influence to ensure the mission’s safety and to help establish a humanitarian corridor for delivering food and medical assistance to Gaza.
Local activists said Civil Society Islamabad will continue to press Pakistani authorities to raise the issue diplomatically and to press international partners for concrete measures to protect the flotilla. The rally underlined the urgency of protecting humanitarian channels and ensuring that critical aid reaches civilians trapped by the conflict in Gaza.
