Police fired tear gas to stop people, who were protesting against the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, from marching towards the US consulate in Karachi on Sunday. They stopped protesters near the Mai Kolachi Bridge by placing containers and counteractions.
The city administration has sealed off the routes to the sensitive location and deployed a heavy police party at Tower, Mai Kolachi Road, the Governor’s House, and the Chief Minister’s House to maintain peace.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah confirmed on Saturday that its leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut and vowed to continue the battle against Israel.
Nasrallah’s death marks a major blow not only to Hezbollah but also to its alleged backers in Iran. The Israeli military said in a statement that Nasrallah was eliminated in a “targeted strike” on the group’s underground headquarters under a residential building in Dahiyeh — a Hezbollah-controlled southern suburb of Beirut.
His body has been recovered from the site. A medical source and a security source told Reuters on Sunday that his body had no direct wounds and that it appeared the cause of death was blunt trauma from the force of the blast.
Many Muslim countries have condemned Israeli attacks, with Pakistan describing it as growing “Israeli adventurism in the Middle East.” The Foreign Office said the Hezbollah secretary general’s killing constituted a “major escalation” in an already volatile region.
Pro-Palestine protesters took to the streets on Sunday in many parts of Pakistan against Narallah’s killing. Rallies were held in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Mithi, Vehari, Shahdadkot, Jacobabad, Okara, Nankana, Abbottabad, Chiniot, Bhawwal, and Lower Dir.
Similar rallies were held in Karachi. The Jamaat-e-Islami has announced nationwide protests, including funeral prayers in absentia for the Hezbollah leader.
In response to the roadblock, the protesters decided to stage a sit-in, declaring that they would continue their protest until the containers were removed.
In the ensuing chaos, angry demonstrators threw stones at the police and set a motorcycle on fire. They damaged the windows of ARY News’ DSNG vehicle, as well as the windshield of New TV’s DSNG. Several individuals, including journalist Daniyal, sustained injuries due to the clashes.
Live footage showed that the police dispersed protesters, who were seen covering their eyes and face because of the gas. Participants of the rally pelted stones as police resorted to aerial firing to stop them.
Funeral prayers in absentia were held for Nasrallah in various cities by the Jamaat-i-Islami. “Israel has insulted humanity and reiterated the declaration of Greater Israel,” JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman told reporters and urged the government to stand up for Palestine. A memorial prayer was also held in Islamabad.
Also, read this
Lebanese anchor breaks down live while reporting Hassan Nasrallah’s killing
Israel says killed another top Hezbollah official in Lebanon strike
In Lahore, a rally was organised from the Punjab Assembly Hall to the US consulate in support of the oppressed people of Palestine.
Thousands of participants from Lahore and surrounding areas joined the rally, carrying Palestinian flags, pictures of Nasrallah, banners, and protest placards.
The rally-goers chanted slogans against the US and Israel while supporting Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Palestinian cause.
