In Karachi, tensions escalated sharply as protesters gathered outside the United States Consulate General, attempting to advance towards the premises. The demonstration quickly turned violent when some participants began hurling stones at security forces. In response, police deployed tear gas and employed other crowd control tactics to disperse the agitated masses. This confrontation tragically resulted in at least ten fatalities and left 36 individuals wounded, marking one of the deadliest episodes of unrest in the city in recent times.
Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khoso, confirmed that those injured and deceased were promptly transported to Civil Hospital Karachi for emergency treatment. Among the deceased, seven victims have been identified by name: Kazim, Mubarak, Adeel, Abbas, Sajid, Khawar, and Mohammad Ali. However, two of the bodies remain unidentified as investigations continue. Medical staff at the hospital reported that the injuries sustained were a combination of gunshot wounds, injuries from baton charges, and trauma caused by stampedes amid the chaos.
Dr. Sabir Memon, the head of the Trauma Centre at Civil Hospital, detailed that the initial influx included eight bodies and around 20 patients requiring urgent care. Unfortunately, one of the critically injured succumbed to their wounds later, increasing the death toll. The violent clashes severely disrupted normal life, with traffic along key routes from Sultanabad to Mai Kolachi coming to a standstill. Authorities were forced to close several major roads, leading to significant congestion throughout the city.
To manage the traffic chaos, Karachi traffic police implemented diversions, rerouting vehicles from Jinnah Bridge towards II Chundrigar Road and directing traffic at Mai Kolachi Phatak to make U-turns for those coming from Boat Basin. Vehicles approaching from the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) area were also sent back to ease the gridlock. Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar demanded a comprehensive report from the Additional Inspector General of Karachi. He emphasized that the government would not tolerate any attempts by individuals or groups to undermine law and order through violent means.
Elsewhere in the country, the unrest spread to other major urban centers. In Islamabad, a rally protesting the US and Israeli military actions against Iran became tense near Serena Chowk on Embassy Road. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi personally arrived at the scene to appeal to the demonstrators to maintain peace and avoid any escalation. Similarly, in Lahore, the Ittehad-e-Ummat Forum organized a protest rally to mourn the martyrdom of Khamenei. However, the situation grew volatile, prompting police to resort to tear gas to control the crowd.
In Peshawar, law enforcement successfully prevented protesters from advancing towards the US Consulate, maintaining a tight security cordon. Meanwhile, in the federal capital, authorities took preemptive measures by closing all roads leading to the Red Zone, an area housing the parliament and various diplomatic missions. The district administration imposed Section 144, effectively banning all public gatherings to prevent further disturbances. Officials issued stern warnings, stating that anyone violating these orders would face strict legal consequences. Citizens were also urged to refrain from participating in any protests to ensure public safety and order.
These coordinated protests across Pakistan reflect the deep-seated sentiments and solidarity with Iran following the martyrdom of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The government’s swift response highlights the delicate balance between allowing freedom of expression and maintaining law and order amid rising regional tensions. As investigations continue and the nation grapples with the aftermath, authorities remain vigilant to prevent further violence and restore normalcy in affected areas.
