Doctors, paramedics rally for aid to Gaza

KARACHI: A massive assembly of doctors and paramedics converged in Karachi for the "Palestinian White Coat March," a powerful demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinians enduring the relentless Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

Organized jointly by the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Pakistan Dental Association (PDA), and Jamat-e-Islami (JI), the march aimed to voice demands for immediate humanitarian aid for the beleaguered Palestinian population.

Thousands of healthcare professionals protested Israel's ongoing atrocities, including bombings targeting Palestinian children, women, schools, and hospitals. They brandished placards, banners, and Palestinian flags, fervently chanting slogans against Israel and its Western supporters implicated in the tragic events unfolding in Gaza.

The march, commencing from the National Stadium signal, culminated at Liaquat National Hospital (LNH).

Dr Anwar Saeed, Senior Vice-President, and Prof Dr Nasir Khan, Secretary General of the PDA, during their addresses, passionately appealed to the Pakistani government for urgent assistance to Gaza in the form of medical and humanitarian aid.

They said healthcare system in Gaza is in dire straits, grappling with a severe shortage of medical supplies and human resources. The healthcare workers, along with the people of Pakistan, expressed their willingness to contribute to the welfare of the Palestinians.

Addressing the protestors, JI Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman commended the doctors for their pivotal role in the Palestinian solidarity march. He criticised Muslim leaders for their reluctance to openly denounce the atrocities in Gaza and strongly condemned politicians aligning with Israeli allies, contravening the national policy on Israel set by the founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Notable figures addressing the march included Interim Sindh Health Minister Saad Khalid Niaz, newly elected General Secretary of the PMA Abdul Ghafoor Shooro, Dr Abdullah Mutaqi of the PIMA, Dr Sabir Abu Maryum (General Secretary of the Palestine Foundation), Dr Azra Rafiq, Dr Aziza Anjum of PIMA women's wing, Alkhidmat Director of Health Services Dr Saqib Ansari, and several others.