Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has announced a complete ban on all new year’s celebrations in the country.

In a special video message released on Thursday, Kakar said said that the decision was taken to show solidarity with the besieged people of Palestine.

The PM called upon the people of Pakistan to observed the coming of the new year with austerity and said no official ceremonies will be organised either.

Kakar said that he hoped and prayed that the new year wold bring peace and prosperity for the country as well as the entire world.

He said that the entire Muslim ummah including Pakistan was greieved by the genocide of innocent Palestinians, especially children, in Gaza and the West Bank. He said that more than 21,000 Palestinians have lost their lives already.

Kakar said that Pakistan had raised the plight of Palestinians in every forum across the world and would continue to do so. He said that two consignements of aid have already been sent from Pakistan and the government was in continuous contact with Egypt and Jordan to help with treatment of Palestinians.

He added that to show solidarity with the besieged Palestinians, the government has decided to ban all celebrations to greet the new year and no official ceremonies will be held either.