Pakistan Protests Erupt Over US-Israel Strike Killing Top Iranian Leader

Protests Erupt Across Pakistan Following US-Israel Strike on Iran’s Supreme Leader

Demonstrations broke out across Pakistan on Sunday, resulting in at least 20 deaths and dozens of injuries nationwide. The protests were sparked by the confirmation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death in a coordinated air strike on Tehran carried out by the United States and Israel.

Thousands gathered near the Red Zone in Islamabad, where the parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies are located. Protesters, largely from Pakistan’s Shia Muslim community, chanted slogans and held placards bearing Khamenei’s image. The crowd was estimated to be between 5,000 and 8,000 people.

Pakistan’s government has condemned the joint US-Israel military attack on Iran, which also criticized Iran’s subsequent attacks on Gulf nations. Authorities had sealed roads leading to the Red Zone, but protesters attempted to push through, prompting security forces to fire tear gas and rubber bullets. Witnesses reported hearing live rounds being fired, and several people were injured by rubber bullet shrapnel.

The bloodiest scenes unfolded in Karachi, where hundreds gathered outside the US Embassy and Consulates on Mai Kolachi Road. A group of young men scaled the consulate’s outer gate, entered the driveway, and smashed windows in the main building. The crowd was eventually dispersed with tear gas and gunfire, resulting in at least 10 deaths and 60 injuries.

Pakistan’s government has ordered an impartial investigation into the incident, described by the chief minister of Sindh province as “extremely tragic”.

Source: Al Jazeera