Credited from: ALJAZEERA
Violent protests erupted across Pakistan, leading to at least 22 fatalities and numerous injuries as pro-Iran demonstrators attempted to storm the U.S. Consulate in Karachi. The clashes began after the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a coordinated U.S. and Israeli attack, igniting outrage among protesters who flocked to the consulate in large numbers, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.
Initial reports indicated that at least nine people were killed near the U.S. consulate, with further updates revealing the death toll had risen due to critical injuries sustained during violent clashes. Police reported that they opened fire on protesters who attempted to breach the consulate's gates, leading to a chaotic scene where dozens of demonstrators were injured, as detailed by Al Jazeera and reiterated by the Los Angeles Times.
In addition to Karachi, protests erupted in multiple cities, including Gilgit-Baltistan, where demonstrators managed to attack and damage offices belonging to the United Nations. The regional police have indicated that while disruptions occurred, government staff were safe; Deputy Minister of Information Ghulam Abbas confirmed reports of clashes but could not confirm the extent of damage, according to South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.
As protests escalated, Pakistani officials urged calm and restraint, condemning the violence while also expressing solidarity with the Iranian people. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to Iran and emphasized that Pakistan supports Iran through both diplomatic routes and public sentiment. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed these sentiments, calling for peaceful protests instead of violent outbursts, as reported by Al Jazeera and further elaborated upon by Los Angeles Times.
Furthermore, protests extended beyond Pakistan, with demonstrators in Jammu and Kashmir, India, voicing their dissent over Khamenei's assassination. Local leaders called for restraint, framing the Indian government's recent actions regarding support for Israel as exacerbating tensions in the region. This overlap of sentiments across borders highlights the broader regional implications of these incidents, according to South China Morning Post.