Karachi experienced significant disruptions on Monday as two of its primary roads remained closed for a second consecutive day following widespread protests triggered by the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The demonstrations, which erupted in response to recent attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, led to severe traffic congestion and heightened security concerns across the city.
The protests gained momentum particularly around the US Consulate, where demonstrators gathered in large numbers on Sunday, leading to the closure of key routes including PIDC, Boat Basin, and the Tower areas. Authorities have placed containers and barricades strategically to restrict movement, with the stretch from PIDC Chowk to the MT Khan Road bridge completely sealed off. Additional barriers were also installed in Sultanabad along MT Khan Road to prevent further escalation.
Moreover, Molvi Tamizuddin Road was shut down from Mere Weather Tower, and the passage from Boat Basin to Mai Kolachi Bypass was similarly blocked using containers. These closures have caused widespread inconvenience for commuters and residents alike. Security forces, including police and Rangers, have been deployed in rotating shifts outside the American Consulate to maintain order and prevent any breach of the premises.
In light of the ongoing roadblocks and security situation, educational institutions in the affected neighborhoods were granted holidays 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 also closed but was reopened by afternoon. Sharea Faisal, a major artery near the FTC flyover heading towards Metropole, was temporarily closed due to the protests but was later cleared for traffic flow.
The authorities had taken stringent measures by sealing all roads leading to the US Consulate to prevent further unrest. However, the situation escalated on Sunday when a traffic police post under the Sultanabad bridge was set ablaze amid the clashes. Police responded with force, resorting to shelling near the Central Police Office on II Chundrigar Road to disperse a rally. Another protest took place at the Native Jetty Bridge close to the Customs House, adding to the citywide tension.
Tragically, the violent confrontations resulted in at least 34 injuries, with many victims suffering gunshot wounds, as confirmed by Karachi’s Civil Hospital. The Sindh government condemned the violence, stating that protesters had breached the outer security perimeter of the US Consulate and caused damage to property. In response, the provincial administration has formed a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) tasked with thoroughly examining the incident and identifying those responsible.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed profound grief over the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader and emphasized the need for a fair and transparent inquiry into the events that unfolded in Karachi. He reached out to prominent religious figures, including Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi and Allama Shabbir Maisami, urging them to help calm public sentiments and promote peace. The Chief Minister also appealed to the wider community to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to restore order and prevent further violence.
As Karachi continues to grapple with the aftermath of these protests, authorities remain vigilant, balancing the right to peaceful expression with the imperative of maintaining public safety and security in the city’s sensitive diplomatic zones.
