Why has Pakistan banned New Year's celebrations this year?

Pakistan's Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaarul Haq Kakar, on Thursday, December 28, declared a complete ban on all New Year celebrations in the country. The reason for the announcement is to show support for the people of Palestine.

This decision is aimed at expressing solidarity amid the ongoing war in Gaza and deep concern for the plight of the Palestinians, said the interim PM, hailing from Balochistan.

Against Israeli actions

• Kakar, in a televised address to the nation, emphasised the severity of the situation in Palestine, attributing the ban to the need for unity with the Palestinian people, reported Dawn.
• He further stated, "There will be a strict ban by the government on holding any kind of event for New Year."
• "The whole Pakistani nation and the Muslim world are in a sheer state of anguish over the massacre of innocent children and genocide of unarmed Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank," added Kakar.

According to Al Jazeera, at least 21,110 Palestinians, including at least 8,200 children and 6,200 women have died so far in the war since its commencement on October 7.

Support for Palestinians

• Pakistan has been actively raising awareness of the Palestinian cause on the global stage, he said.
• Kakar highlighted the country's efforts, stating, "Pakistan had vocalised the plight of the Palestinian people on every global forum available and would continue to do so in the future as well to stop the Israeli bloodshed."
• The Pakistani government is also in talks with Jordan and Egypt to provide timely aid and facilitate the evacuation of the injured from Gaza, he added.

Pakistan's decision to ban New Year celebrations echoes a similar gesture from Sharjah, an emirate in the UAE, which opted to forgo New Year's Eve fireworks as a symbol of solidarity.