Pakistan has been gripped by a wave of deadly protests following the confirmed killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint U.S.-Israeli air strikes. As of Sunday evening, officials confirm at least 20 fatalities and dozens of injuries across the country as demonstrations, primarily led by the Shia Muslim community, escalated into violent confrontations with security forces.
Protests erupted across Pakistan, with 20 people dead and dozens wounded nationwide, after the US and Israel confirmed the killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei https://t.co/T7HlVf1PpF pic.twitter.com/oehfM6doau
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 2, 2026
Casualties and Regional Flashpoints
The violence reached its peak in Karachi, where the bloodiest scenes unfolded outside the U.S. Consulate. Protesters breached the outer gates, leading to a chaotic standoff. Security forces deployed tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd, resulting in 10 deaths and over 60 injuries. In the northern city of Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, eight people were killed after protesters set fire to UN offices, prompting authorities to impose a strict three-day curfew. In the capital, Islamabad, two protesters were killed near the Red Zone as thousands attempted to march toward the diplomatic enclave.
Government Response and Diplomatic Stance
The Government of Pakistan has officially condemned the “unwarranted” military strikes on Iran. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep “grief and sorrow,” describing the targeting of a Head of State as a violation of age-old international conventions. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while expressing solidarity with the grieving Iranian people, issued an urgent appeal for calm, urging citizens not to take the law into their own hands. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has been in direct contact with Tehran, calling for an immediate halt to the escalation through diplomatic channels.
A Community in Mourning
Throughout the country—from Lahore to Peshawar and Faisalabad—protesters carrying images of the late Supreme Leader chanted slogans against the U.S. and Israel. While organizers from the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) initially sought peaceful rallies, the sheer scale of the crowds and the proximity to diplomatic missions led to a breakdown in order. The U.S. Embassy has issued a security alert, advising its citizens to avoid large gatherings and monitor local media for further developments.
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The situation remains highly volatile as the 900km border with Iran remains under high alert and the nation enters a period of mourning for the regional leader.
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