BY COMFORT OGBONNA
At least nine people were killed and nearly two dozen others injured on Sunday after violent confrontations broke out between protesters and security forces in Karachi. The unrest unfolded when hundreds of demonstrators stormed the U.S. Consulate Karachi, triggering a fierce response from police and paramilitary personnel deployed in the area.
The violence erupted just hours after the United States and Israel reportedly carried out attacks in Iran that resulted in the death of the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. News of the killing sparked outrage among many in Pakistan’s Shiite community, fueling protests that quickly escalated into chaos in parts of the city.
Hospital officials confirmed that at least 25 people were wounded during the clashes, with several listed in critical condition. Summaiya Syed Tariq, a police surgeon at Karachi’s main government hospital, said six bodies were initially brought to the facility along with numerous injured individuals. As the night progressed, three more critically wounded victims succumbed to their injuries, raising the death toll to nine. Medical teams continued to treat the injured, some of whom suffered gunshot wounds and severe trauma.
Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province and the country’s largest city, has often been the site of political demonstrations, but officials described Sunday’s violence as unusually intense. Senior police officer Irfan Baloch stated that protesters managed to breach the outer perimeter of the consulate compound before security forces regained control. He emphasized that the situation was eventually brought under full control and denied reports suggesting that the consulate building itself had been set ablaze.
While the main structure remained intact, authorities confirmed that demonstrators set fire to a nearby police post and damaged property around the consulate, including smashing windows. Witnesses reported scenes of panic as tear gas and baton charges were used to disperse the crowd. Some protesters allegedly attempted to ignite parts of the compound before security forces intervened.
Even after the initial confrontation subsided, dozens of demonstrators reportedly remained gathered roughly a kilometer from the diplomatic mission, calling on others to join their protest. Security forces maintained a heavy presence in the surrounding neighborhoods to prevent further escalation.
In an official statement, the provincial government urged citizens to exercise restraint and express their grievances peacefully. Officials warned that any acts of violence or vandalism would be dealt with firmly under the law.
Beyond Karachi, demonstrations were also reported in other parts of the country. In Multan, located in Punjab province, Shiite protesters held a peaceful rally condemning the killing of Khamenei. Participants chanted slogans criticizing Israel and the United States but avoided clashes with authorities. One attendee, Mamoona Sherazi, described the Iranian leader as a fatherly figure and a strong advocate for Shiite Muslims worldwide, adding that she believed he also supported Sunni Muslims facing oppression. She vowed that protesters would continue voicing their opposition to U.S. and Israeli policies.
A separate rally took place near the U.S. Consulate in Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab. Police officials said demonstrators attempted to gather outside the diplomatic mission but were prevented from approaching the premises. When some participants tried to march toward the building, officers dispersed the crowd to avoid a repeat of the violence seen in Karachi.
Authorities also confirmed that rallies were planned in Islamabad and other cities. Security has been significantly tightened around the U.S. Embassy Islamabad and American consulates nationwide as a precaution against further unrest.
Shiites make up approximately 15% of Pakistan’s population of around 250 million people, forming one of the largest Shiite communities in the world. While anti-Israel and anti-U.S. protests have occurred periodically in the past, large-scale violent confrontations of this magnitude remain relatively uncommon. Sunday’s deadly unrest has heightened concerns about diplomatic security and internal stability as tensions ripple across the region.
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