The Islamist political parties in Pakistan are strategically emphasizing their endorsement of the Palestinian group Hamas in its conflict with Israel, with the intention of capitalizing on the prevailing popular discontent within the country as it gears up for upcoming elections in the near future.
Following the incursion of Hamas terrorists from Gaza into Israel, resulting in an approximate death toll of 1,200 individuals in early October, the caretaker government of Pakistan responded with a somewhat tempered approach, advocating for caution and the safeguarding of civilian lives. According to health professionals affiliated with Hamas, the retaliatory actions taken by Israel have resulted in the deaths of over 13,000 individuals in Gaza. In response, the Pakistani administration has adopted a more stringent stance in its discourse, albeit limited to generic condemnations of Israel, as diplomatic relations between the two nations are non-existent.
In the broader societal context, it is evident that the portrayal of the distressing conditions in Gaza has resonated with the population, hence intensifying the prevailing mood of opposition towards Israel. According to a recent study conducted by Gallup Pakistan, the overwhelming majority of respondents, specifically 91%, stated their support for Hamas during the conflict, whereas a mere 2% indicated their backing for Israel. There is a growing momentum behind a boycott campaign initiated by young individuals that targets Western corporations perceived to have affiliations with Israel.
In the current political environment, Islamist parties are actively endeavoring to broaden their support among voters, particularly in light of Pakistan's next general election scheduled for February 8th.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F), the predominant Islamist political party in Pakistan, has emerged as a prominent advocate for the cause of Hamas. On November 5th, Molana Fazal ur Rehman, the leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), embarked on a journey to Doha with the purpose of engaging in a meeting with Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashal. During this encounter, Molana Fazal ur Rehman conveyed his unwavering support and solidarity to the aforementioned leaders.
