Pakistan bans New Year’s Eve celebrations as a gesture of solidarity with Gaza

In a televised address on Thursday evening, Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar announced a complete ban on New Year’s Eve celebrations in Pakistan, emphasizing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The move comes in response to Israel’s extensive military actions in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on October 7. The Prime Minister urged citizens to “observe simplicity” in light of the dire situation in the Gaza Strip.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant destruction in Gaza’s north and a tragic loss of life, with at least 21,320 casualties, predominantly affecting women and children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. The October 7 attack by Palestinian militants led to approximately 1,140 deaths, mainly civilians, as reported by an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

Expressing the collective sorrow of the Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah, Kakar stated, “The entire Pakistani nation and the Muslim Ummah were deeply saddened by the genocide of the oppressed Palestinians, especially the massacre of innocent children, in Gaza and the West Bank.”

Pakistan’s decision to ban New Year’s Eve festivities, which typically involve lively celebrations with fireworks and aerial gunfire, reflects a somber acknowledgment of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Similarly, the emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates has also prohibited New Year’s Eve fireworks, citing solidarity and humanitarian cooperation with the people of Gaza.

The ban in both Pakistan and Sharjah underscores a regional response to the ongoing conflict and seeks to convey support for those affected by the situation in Gaza.