THE assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in strikes ignited a wave of grief and fury across Pakistan, particularly within its Shia community.

Within hours of Tehran confirming Khamenei’s death, Pakistan’s streets erupted in protest, transforming grief into rage and solidarity into confrontation. Karachi became the epicentre of the unrest. Protesters carrying portraits of Khamenei and chanting anti-America slogans marched towards the US Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road. What began as a demonstration of solidarity with Iran quickly spiralled into clashes and law enforcement authorities attempted to disperse the gathering, however, the crowd continued to advance.

Later in the day, as authorities attempted to block access roads with shipping containers, protesters hurled stones, igniting further clashes. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called the incident “extremely tragic,” expressing solidarity with Iran and the grieving Shia community. The danger for Americans in Karachi has become acute. Roads leading to the US Consulate have been blocked off since Sunday, with a heavy police presence in the area. The consulate has cancelled all appointments for visas and American Citizen Services, underscoring the severity of the crisis. In Islamabad, hundreds gathered near the Diplomatic Enclave to denounce the strikes on Iran. The protests turned violent as police attempted to disperse the crowd. At least two protesters were killed and more than thirty injured. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued an appeal for calm, acknowledging the depth of grief.

Similar security measures have been imposed around the US Embassy in Islamabad, with roads blocked and police deployed in force. In Lahore, activists from Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) assembled outside the US Consulate, attempting to force their way inside. Police, caught off guard, struggled to contain the crowd. Authorities imposed Section 144 across Punjab, banning public gatherings, but the order was openly defied. The protests underscored the intensity of anti-US sentiment, which has long simmered beneath the surface of Pakistan’s political landscape. The US Consulate in Lahore has also cancelled all appointments for visas and citizen services, reflecting the growing danger for American personnel.

The unrest spread to Gilgit-Baltistan, where curfews were imposed in Skardu after protesters set ablaze the offices of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), a school, the superintendent of police’s office and the Agha Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP). The symbolism was unmistakable: anger was not only directed at the United States and Israel but also at international institutions perceived as complicit or indifferent. In Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Paharpur, rallies were staged in solidarity with Iran. Religious leaders declared that Pakistan stood shoulder to shoulder with the Iranian people in their time of trial. Jamaat-i-Islami’s District Amir, Manzar Masood Khattak, condemned violations of sovereignty, warning of grave consequences under international law. Allama Tauqeer echoed the sentiment, insisting that “the Iranian people are not alone.” For Shia groups such as the Imamia Students Organization (ISO), the assassination was not merely an attack on Iran but on Shia identity itself.

Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman condemned US and Israeli aggression as terrorism, warning that Pakistan’s alignment with Washington has historically fuelled instability. He stated that the country’s involvement in the US-led war during Pervez Musharraf’s era had given rise to terrorism and insecurity along Pakistan’s western border. Rehman urged the government to prioritize sovereignty and dignity over appeasing foreign powers, calling for unity among Muslim nations and a leadership role for nuclear-armed Pakistan in defending oppressed peoples worldwide. The United States, alarmed by the scale of unrest, ordered non-emergency personnel and families to leave its consulates in Karachi and Lahore. Republican candidate Vic Mellor, himself a Marine veteran, took to social media to frame the Karachi incident as a demonstration of American resolve.

The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei has emerged as a deeply sensitive development, intensifying anti-US sentiments within a few segments of Pakistani society. The resulting public reaction has reflected a mixture of grief, concern and strong emotions, leading to demonstrations in several parts of the country. From Karachi to Skardu, these protests highlight how geopolitical developments can resonate strongly at the societal level, where expressions of solidarity and political sentiment occasionally manifest in heightened public tensions. For many Pakistanis, the killing of Khamenei is viewed not only as the loss of a prominent religious figure but also as an event that resonates with broader perceptions of tensions between Western powers and parts of the Muslim world. In various demonstrations, strong slogans have reflected both solidarity with Iran and the expression of longstanding historical grievances felt by segments of the public.

Amid rising tensions, concerns over the safety and mobility of foreign nationals in Pakistan have increased. Access to some diplomatic missions in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad has been restricted, accompanied by enhanced security deployments to maintain order. In response, certain consular services have been limited and precautionary advisories issued. To manage the situation, the government can reinforce protection around diplomatic premises, encourage restraint through public communication and engage community leaders to promote calm. Such measures can help maintain stability while ensuring the safety of both citizens and foreign nationals.

—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Hyderabad.

© Pakistan Observer