Protests: Widespread unrest erupted across Pakistan on Sunday after the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli military strikes, leading to violent clashes, attacks on diplomatic sites and at least nine to twelve deaths, according to multiple local and international reports.
Pakistan Protests: Clashes Outside US Consulate in Karachi
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near the US Consulate in Karachi, attempting to breach security perimeters and chanting anti-American and anti-Israeli slogans. Confrontations with law enforcement escalated, with police and paramilitary forces responding with tear gas, baton charges and, according to hospital sources, gunfire, resulting in at least nine people killed and dozens injured in clashes near Mai Kolachi Road.
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In some accounts, eyewitness and hospital data suggested that those killed and wounded suffered gunshot injuries, and emergency services were overwhelmed with casualties at Civil Hospital Karachi. Roads around the diplomatic enclave were sealed as security forces sought to contain the situation.
Protests Spread to Other Cities
Similar demonstrations were reported in Lahore and Peshawar, where crowds gathered outside US diplomatic missions and raised slogans condemning the United States and Israel over the strike on Iran. In Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan, protesters set fire to a United Nations office building, damaging parts of the complex during rallies showing solidarity with Iran.
Government Response and Security Measures
Pakistani authorities tightened security around foreign diplomatic missions and sensitive areas following the unrest, with increased police and paramilitary deployments in major cities. The US Embassy in Islamabad issued advisories urging American citizens to monitor local developments and exercise caution amid the volatile situation.
Broader Regional Fallout
The protests come amid a wider surge of global reactions to Khamenei’s death, which has intensified regional tensions and triggered demonstrations in other countries with significant Shiite populations. Governments and international bodies have expressed concern over escalations, while diplomatic missions remain on heightened alert.
The situation remains fluid, with security forces continuing efforts to restore order and prevent further attacks on diplomatic premises or public infrastructure. Authorities are also investigating the precise circumstances of the violence and casualty tolls after Sunday’s clashes.