At least nine people were killed and 12 were injured in clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel near Karachi’s US Consulate situated on Mai Kolachi Road on Sunday.

Protests broke out across several areas of Karachi on Sunday after reports of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US, and Israeli air strikes.

Angry protesters staged a demonstration at the US Consulate during which some of the protesters attacked the building, damaged property and set fire to a portion of the property.

According to officials, protesters gathered near the American Consulate on Mai Kolachi Road and tried to force their way into the premises, pelting stones at security personnel.

Police and Rangers responded by pushing the demonstrators back and using tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Tensions were reported in several parts of the city, with large gatherings at key locations, including Numaish Chowrangi, Abbas Town, and the Tower area.

Protesters marched on the streets, chanting slogans against the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

Eyewitnesses said demonstrators later moved toward the US Consulate, where security had been heightened.

Some protesters reportedly threw stones, and there were also unconfirmed reports of gunfire.

Heavy shelling was reported near MT Khan Road following continued stone-throwing by protesters.

A traffic police checkpoint under the Sultanabad Bridge was also set on fire during the unrest.

Rescue authorities said injured individuals were shifted to the hospital for treatment.

Police officials stated that additional personnel have been deployed to control the situation.

Traffic in several parts of the city was severely disrupted due to the protests.

Roads leading to Numaish Chowrangi were closed, while demonstrations at the Native Jetty Bridge near the Custom House affected the flow of vehicles.

Additional police personnel were deployed on Maulvi Tamizuddin Road, while the road from Sultanabad to Mai Kolachi was shut.

According to the traffic police, vehicles coming from Jinnah Bridge were diverted toward I.I. Chundrigar Road.

Traffic from Boat Basin was turned back at the Mai Kolachi crossing, while vehicles arriving from the PIDC House were redirected.

Meanwhile, DIG East Dr Farrukh Ali said the situation is now under control and protesters outside the US Consulate have been dispersed.

“No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” he said, adding that security at sensitive installations and the Red Zone has been further tightened.

Authorities urged citizens to remain calm, avoid spreading or reacting to rumours, and said that the situation was being closely monitored.

Protests outside US consulate in Lahore

A large number of protesters gathered outside the US Consulate in Lahore on Sunday to protest the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Section 144 in Islamabad

The district administration in Islamabad has imposed Section 144, prohibiting all forms of public gatherings, protests, and demonstrations across the federal capital.

Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, Irfan Nawaz Memon, posted a message on X on Sunday, stating that under Section 144, all gatherings will be considered illegal.

Citizens were urged not to participate in any assemblies or public gatherings.

According to the district administration, strict legal action will be taken against anyone found organising or taking part in protests, demonstrations, or other assemblies.

Authorities appealed to the public to fully comply with the code of conduct to help maintain peace and order in the city.

Protests in Gilgit-Baltistan

The situation in all four districts of Gilgit-Baltistan has turned tense following reports of the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an attack carried out by the US and Israel, with protests ongoing in several areas on Sunday.

The Karakoram Highway has been closed to all vehicular traffic due to demonstrations at multiple locations, while protests are also underway in Hunza and Nagar.

In Skardu, businesses remain shut following a shutdown strike, and shutdown and wheel-jam strikes are continuing across the region.