Pakistan witnessed violent nationwide demonstrations on Sunday as protests erupted over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israel strikes, resulting in at least 17 fatalities and numerous injuries across multiple cities.
In Karachi, hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters attempted to storm the US consulate, leading to intense clashes with security forces. Medical authorities confirmed at least 10 deaths and over 70 injuries in the city, with hospital records indicating many victims suffered fatal gunshot wounds. AFP journalists witnessed demonstrators scaling the consulate’s main gate, smashing windows before police dispersed crowds with tear gas.
The northern city of Gilgit experienced similarly deadly confrontations, where rescue official Zaheer Shah reported at least seven fatalities and multiple injuries during protests. In the capital Islamabad, thousands gathered bearing images of the deceased Iranian leader, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas and audible gunfire to control crowds near US diplomatic compounds.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Khamenei’s killing as a ‘violation of international law,’ stating on social media platform X that ‘Heads of State/Government should not be targeted.’ While expressing solidarity with Iran, Sharif’s statements notably characterized the offensive as an Israeli operation, omitting significant US involvement.
The protests revealed deep anti-American sentiment among demonstrators. ‘We don’t need anything in Pakistan that is linked with the US,’ protester Sabir Hussain told AFP. Another participant, Zahra Mumtaz, accused Pakistani leadership of being ‘stooges of the Americans’ while demanding the right to grieve openly.
The violence extended to international organizations as protesters in Skardu stormed and set fire to a United Nations office, with nearby vehicles completely burned according to AFP correspondents. The US and British embassies subsequently issued security alerts urging citizens to exercise extreme caution throughout Pakistan.