Key Points:
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At least nine people killed during clashes near the US Consulate in Karachi
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Protests erupted across multiple Pakistani cities after Iran strike tensions
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Authorities impose curbs and launch investigations as unrest spreads
KARACHI: Chaos erupted along Mai Kolachi Road early Sunday as security forces confronted hundreds of demonstrators attempting to push toward the US Consulate, leaving at least nine people dead and dozens injured, hospital officials confirmed.
Police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed said multiple bodies were brought to Civil Hospital Karachi, while emergency responders reported gunshot injuries among the wounded. The confrontation followed a wave of emotionally charged protests that swept several Pakistani cities amid escalating tensions tied to the Iran crisis.
Witness videos circulating online showed injured protesters being carried away by bystanders as law enforcement moved to disperse crowds using tear gas and baton charges.
Situation spirals near consulate
According to local officials, protesters breached outer security barriers near the diplomatic compound before police pushed them back. Streets around the high-security zone were sealed within minutes, and traffic was diverted across key arteries of the city.
A diplomat inside the compound later told reporters, “We’re safe,” as security agencies tightened the perimeter.
Dr. Mohammad Sabir Memon, executive director of Civil Hospital Karachi’s trauma center, said more than 30 injured people were treated, many with firearm wounds. Authorities have not yet issued a final verified casualty figure, and numbers remain under review.
Government orders investigation
The Sindh government expressed what it called “deep grief” over the loss of life and announced a high-level joint investigation team to determine the sequence of events.
Officials said the probe will examine how protesters breached the cordon and whether force was used proportionately.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar directed police to strengthen security around sensitive installations, warning that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
Traffic police simultaneously shut major routes leading to the consulate zone, creating widespread disruption across Karachi’s commercial corridor.
Protests spread nationwide
Demonstrations quickly expanded beyond Karachi.
In Lahore, hundreds gathered outside the US Consulate, though police contained the crowd without major violence. In Islamabad, authorities imposed Section 144, banning public gatherings in the capital’s Red Zone.
The unrest turned more severe in Gilgit-Baltistan, where officials confirmed a curfew in Skardu after protesters set fire to a United Nations office and blocked key highways. Authorities said foreign tourists in the region were moved to safe locations as a precaution.
Local spokesperson Shabbir Mir confirmed the UN facility was burned but reported no casualties in that incident.
Regional ripple effects
Security agencies across Pakistan remain on high alert as intelligence officials warn of further demonstrations.
The US Embassy in Islamabad issued a security advisory urging American citizens to avoid large crowds and maintain heightened awareness. Law enforcement units have been deployed around diplomatic sites in multiple cities.
Analysts say the unrest reflects how rapidly regional tensions are spilling onto the streets of major population centers.
Officials in Karachi described the situation as fluid and warned that casualty figures and investigation findings could evolve as more information becomes available.
