D-Chowk Dharna
Pro-Palestine protest in Islamabad, Pakistan
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The D-Chowk Dharna was a series of protests held at D-Chowk in Islamabad, Pakistan, organized by the Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a senior politician in Jamaat-e-Islami and former senator of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[3][4][5][6] The protests were held in response to the ongoing Gaza war, with participants demanding decisive action from the Pakistani government and the international community.[7][8][9]
(1 month and 2 weeks)
| D-Chowk Dharna | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Gaza war protests | |||
| Date | 13 May – 22 June 2024 (1 month and 2 weeks) | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | Gaza war | ||
| Methods | Demonstrations, sit-ins, marches | ||
| Result | Successful Negotiations with Government (See Demands) [1] | ||
| Parties | |||
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| Lead figures | |||
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| Casualties and losses | |||
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| Casualties | |||
| Arrested | Over 350 protesters booked | ||
| Protests resulted in clashes with police and a tragic incident where a car ran over protesters. | |||
On the 27th day of the sit-in to express love for Palestine and Gaza, D-Chowk was renamed Gaza Chowk. It was appealed to the public that now D-Chowk will be written, said and called Gaza Chowk. The board of Gaza Chowk was unveiled.[10]
Demands by Save Gaza Campaign
- Prime Minister's Response: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif must respond to letters from Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh, affirming Pakistan's support for their resistance efforts
- Relief Fleet: The Government of Pakistan must ensure the entry of a relief flotilla into the Gaza through sea route, with assistance from the Save Gaza Campaign.
- ICJ Involvement: Pakistan should join South Africa in taking action at the ICJ regarding matters related to Gaza.
- Justice and Compensation: Justice should be provided for those martyred during a sit-in, and the families of the martyrs must receive compensation from the government.
- Quashing of Cases: Legal cases against the Save Gaza Campaign and Islami Jamiat Talaba must be quashed.
- Role in Ceasefire: The Government of Pakistan should actively work towards a ceasefire in Palestine and advocate for a ceasefire resolution in the United Nations Security Council.
In a joint video released on Saturday night, Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, assured that the following demands from the Save Gaza Campaign would be met soon.[11]
Responses
State Resonse
The Islamabad Police arrested former Jamaat-i-Islami senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, on several charges. The allegations included pelting stones at law enforcement officials and threatening them with dire consequences.[3] Despite these actions, protesters continued their demonstrations, staged sit-ins and announced plans for future protests.[4][9]
Public response
The protests gained public attention and support. Various groups including the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) joined the protests.[12] Protesters organized a hike in Islamabad to demand concrete steps for a ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of a humanitarian aid corridor.[8] The protesters also demanded Pakistan to take decisive action for immediate international intervention and increase pressure for an immediate ceasefire.[7]
Major incidents
Car incident
On May 21, 2024, an incident occurred during a protest where a speeding car ran over participants of the protest who were sleeping on a portion of Jinnah Avenue, resulting in two deaths and four injuries, including a police inspector.[13][14] The driver, identified as a lieutenant in the Pakistan Army and son of a brigadier, was later arrested and handed over to the Military Police for legal proceedings.[15][16]
Clashes with Police
Protesters clashed with the police on several occasions. In one instance, protesters attempted to enter Islamabad's red zone, leading to clashes with police. The police lathi-charged the protestors as a result of which some protestors were injured. In response, the protesters pelted stones at the police.[9]