Karachi witnessed significant disruption on Monday as two of its major arteries remained closed for the second consecutive day following widespread protests triggered by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The unrest was sparked by recent attacks attributed to the United States and Israel, which have deeply angered various groups across the city. The demonstrations, particularly intense around the US Consulate, led to severe traffic congestion and forced authorities to impose stringent restrictions on movement in key areas.
The main routes leading to the American Consulate, including the PIDC area, Boat Basin, and Tower regions, continued to be inaccessible to commuters. Security forces had strategically placed containers and barricades to block access, with a notable blockade stretching from PIDC Chowk to the MT Khan Road bridge. Additional barriers were also installed in Sultanabad along MT Khan Road to prevent further gatherings. Molvi Tamizuddin Road was sealed off starting from Mere Weather Tower, and the passage from Boat Basin to Mai Kolachi Bypass remained obstructed by containers, effectively paralyzing traffic flow in these critical zones.
In response to the volatile situation, police and Rangers personnel maintained a heavy presence outside the US Consulate, operating in rotating shifts to manage security and prevent further escalation. The authorities’ decision to close these thoroughfares also prompted the closure of schools located within the affected neighborhoods, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff. Earlier in the day, the route from PIDC Chowk to Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, which leads to the Chief Minister’s House, was temporarily blocked but was reopened by the afternoon. Similarly, Sharea Faisal near the FTC flyover, which had been shut down due to protests near Metropole, was also reopened to ease traffic pressures.
The unrest escalated on Sunday when protesters breached the outer security perimeter of the US Consulate, causing damage to property and setting a traffic police post under the Sultanabad bridge on fire. Law enforcement officials resorted to firing tear gas shells near the Central Police Office on II Chundrigar Road to disperse a rally, while another protest took place at the Native Jetty Bridge close to the Customs House. These violent confrontations resulted in at least 34 individuals sustaining injuries, many of whom were reportedly shot, as confirmed by Karachi’s Civil Hospital. The situation underscored the intensity of the protests and the challenges faced by security agencies in controlling the crowds.
In the aftermath, the Sindh government announced the formation of a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) tasked with thoroughly examining the incidents that unfolded during the protests. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed profound grief over the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei and emphasized the need for an impartial inquiry into the events in Karachi. Demonstrating a commitment to restoring calm, he reached out to prominent religious figures, including Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi and Allama Shabbir Maisami, urging them to help temper public emotions and promote peace.
The Chief Minister also called upon religious scholars to actively contribute to maintaining law and order, highlighting the importance of community leadership in times of crisis. Additionally, he appealed to the general public to cooperate with government efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation and preventing further violence. As Karachi grapples with the fallout of these protests, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, balancing security concerns with the need to respect citizens’ right to peaceful expression.
