Protests erupted across Pakistan on Sunday against US and Israeli strikes that martyred Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with violent clashes outside the US Consulate in Karachi, leaving multiple dead and dozens injured.
Demonstrations were also held in major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, where protesters clashed with law enforcement officers, who on several occasions resorted to shelling to disperse the crowds.
In Karachi, demonstrators gathered outside the US Consulate and attempted to advance towards the premises, throwing stones, after which police used shelling and other forceful measures to disperse the crowd. The unrest resulted in at least nine fatalities and 36 injuries.
Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso stated that all the injured and deceased had been taken to Civil Hospital, where the dead were identified as Kazim, Mubarak, Adeel, Abbas, Sajid, Khawar, and Mohammad Ali, while two remain unidentified.Hospital authorities reported that injuries were caused by gunfire, baton charges, and stampedes during the clashes.
Dr Sabir Memon, head of the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital Karachi, had said that eight bodies had been brought to the hospital, while 20 injured individuals were receiving medical treatment. One of the injured later succumbed to their wounds.
The violent clashes disrupted traffic movement in the area, with authorities closing the road from Sultanabad leading towards Mai Kolachi, causing significant traffic congestion.
According to Karachi traffic police, vehicles coming from Jinnah Bridge were being diverted towards II Chundrigar Road, traffic from Boat Basin was being given a U-turn at Mai Kolachi Phatak, and vehicles from PIDC were being sent back.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar later sought details of the incident from the Additional IG Karachi. In a statement, the home minister said that no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
Separately, in Islamabad, a rally against the US and Israeli attacks on Iran turned tense on Embassy Road, as police confronted demonstrators near Serena Chowk.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived at the site and urged participants to remain peaceful amid rising tensions in the federal capital.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, the Ittehad-e-Ummat Forum held a rally to protest the martyrdom of Khamenei. The situation became tense after police used shelling to disperse participants in the procession.
Similarly, in Peshawar, police prevented demonstrators from marching towards the US Consulate.
Separately in Islamabad, all roads leading to the red zone, which houses diplomatic missions and parliament, were blocked for traffic or any other public movement, police said.
The district administration has imposed Section 144, banning all types of public gatherings.
According to the Islamabad district administration, any form of assembly will be deemed illegal under Section 144. Citizens have been advised to refrain from participating in any protest, demonstration or gathering.
The administration warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the orders.
