Protests erupted across Pakistan on Sunday following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in coordinated United States–Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, leaving at least 12 people dead and scores injured in clashes with law enforcement.

The most severe violence occurred in Karachi, where demonstrators gathered outside the United States Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road. Police used tear gas and baton charges after protesters attempted to breach security barriers and pelted stones at personnel. Hospital officials confirmed that at least nine people were killed and more than 60 were injured, many with gunshot wounds. Several victims remain in critical condition at local hospitals.

Authorities closed key roads near the consulate and deployed Rangers to secure sensitive installations. The Sindh government announced the formation of a joint investigation team to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatalities and assess responsibility. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah described the incident as “extremely tragic” and urged citizens to remain peaceful.

In Islamabad, clashes near the Diplomatic Enclave and Serena Chowk left two protesters dead and more than 30 injured. Security forces used heavy shelling to prevent demonstrators from marching towards the United States Embassy. The district administration had already imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings, and sealed routes leading to the Red Zone.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi appealed for calm, stating that while citizens had the right to protest, violence and damage to property would not be tolerated. He ordered heightened security across the capital.

Demonstrations were also reported in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and several districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. In Skardu, authorities imposed a curfew after protesters set fire to government buildings and offices, including facilities linked to the United Nations observer mission. No casualties were reported there, but roads and markets remained closed across the region.

Rallies in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Dera Ismail Khan and Tank, remained largely peaceful, with participants expressing solidarity with Iran and urging restraint to avoid regional escalation.

The United States Embassy in Islamabad advised its citizens to avoid large gatherings and monitor local developments, citing ongoing demonstrations near diplomatic facilities.

The protests reflect deep public anger over the killing of Khamenei and fears of a wider regional conflict. Officials across Pakistan have urged restraint, warning that unrest could further destabilise an already tense security environment.

© Naya Daur