KARACHI/LAHORE/GILGIT/ISLAMABAD/DI KHAN: Ten people were killed in Karachi and two in Islamabad as protests broke out across the country against the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in attacks between the United States and Israel.
The situation justified Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to issue an appeal urging people to remain peaceful.
“Today is a sad day for the entire Muslim ummah, the public of Pakistan and the public of Iran,” he said in a video statement.
Stating that all Pakistani citizens were as aggrieved as the Iranians, Naqvi said: “My only request is that we all stand with you, but please do not take the law into your hands. You can protest, but peacefully.”
Clashes in Karachi
In Karachi, protesters clashed with law enforcement officials near the US consulate on Mai Kolachi Road. Law enforcement personnel resorted to shelling tear gas and using batons to control the situation.
Later, Section 144 was also extended to entire Sindh. According to the Department of the Interior, all types of chalk graffiti on walls, protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, rallies and gun displays were banned throughout the province for a month starting March 1.
However, guards at registered private security companies were allowed to carry weapons in places of duty during working hours, but were prohibited from displaying or brandishing weapons while traveling in vehicles.
According to a statement by police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed listing all the victims, eight bodies were taken to the Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), while two succumbed to their injuries, taking the fatalities in the US Consulate incident to 10.
A total of 62 people were injured near the US consulate, 41 were taken to CHK SMBBIT, seven to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC), eight to Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) and six to Fatimiyah Hospital.
On the other hand, eight people injured during protests at Native Jetty and Numaish Chowrangi were shifted to SMBBIT, while three injured during a protest at Paposh Nagar were shifted to JPMC.
This brought the total number of people injured in protests across the metropolis to 73, according to Dr. Syed’s statement.
Of them, 14 remained admitted to hospitals, while the rest were discharged after receiving treatment, he added.
Of those admitted, six were in critical condition: two at SMMBIT, two at AKUH and one at JPMC.
In a late-night statement, Sindh Rangers spokesperson said mobile surveillance teams had been deployed in various areas of Karachi to maintain peace.
He added, “Additional personnel have been deployed in view of the situation and continuous patrolling and checking have been carried out at important points, facilities and main arteries of the city. Miscreants are being identified.”
Earlier, the US Embassy in Islamabad said: “We are monitoring reports of ongoing demonstrations at the US Consulate General in Karachi and Lahore, as well as calls for additional demonstrations at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulate General in Peshawar.
“We advise U.S. citizens in Pakistan to monitor local news and observe good personal safety practices, including being aware of your surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring your STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) registration is up to date.”
In view of the current security situation, the roads near the US consulate were closed to traffic.
Later that day, when authorities attempted to place containers to block roads near the US consulate, protesters threw rocks, leading to more clashes.
In an official statement, shared by Information Minister’s spokesperson Husain Mansoor, the Sindh government expressed “deep sorrow” over the loss of lives in the clash.
“The protesters entered after violating the security cordon of the United States consulate and committed vandalism,” the statement said.
However, the government put the death toll at six and added that “several” were injured.
It formed a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) to “impartially review all aspects of the incident.” The JIT “will evaluate the circumstances under which the incident occurred and what its causes were.”
The JIT will also determine “who was responsible” for the incident.
While the government affirmed the public’s constitutional right to protest, it stressed that “maintaining a peaceful environment was everyone’s shared responsibility.”
“Any type of vandalism, violence or taking the law into one’s own hands is inappropriate,” he said.
The government asked citizens to “express their emotions only peacefully and legally.”
Citizens are urged to express their feelings only in a peaceful and legal manner.
“The government wants to keep the situation under control,” the statement said, adding that while citizens had the right to peacefully protest, no one should take the law into their own hands.
In his statement, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah called the incident “extremely tragic” and expressed deep grief over Khamenei’s death.
“In this hour of grief, the people of Sindh stand in equal solidarity with Iran and all those who are mourning,” he said.
He ordered an impartial investigation into the US Consulate incident.
“At a time when the country is facing a war situation, it is not appropriate to sabotage peace and order,” CM Murad said.
He contacted several religious leaders, including Allama Shahenshah Naqvi, Allama Shabbir Maisami and others, urging them to ensure that public sentiments were controlled at all costs.
Allama Naqvi and others spoke about holding a majlis (meeting) in Numaish, the CM’s office statement said, adding that Murad ordered the administration and police to provide him with full security.
CM Murad appealed to all religious scholars and people of different schools of thought to guide the public towards maintaining peace and order.
Expressing deep regret over the loss of lives in the US Consulate incident, he said the government cannot allow anyone to take the law into their own hands.
In a video statement, Allama Naqvi called the clashes with the consulates “painful” and urged the public to remain peaceful.
He noted that the Muslim community was saddened by Khamenei’s “martyrdom” and added that people should express their pain “keeping in mind the pain of Karbala.”
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought immediate details on the situation from Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Azad Khan, according to a statement from his office.
“No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” Lanjar said. He ordered that the security of sensitive facilities be made more effective.
The minister further ordered that alternative routes be determined to maintain traffic flow and that law enforcement agencies (LEAs) remain fully alert and closely monitor the situation.
“Measures will be taken in accordance with the law against elements that disturb law and order,” Lanjar warned.
Meanwhile, the Sindh Rangers said they had deployed “strong contingents of mobile surveillance teams” across the city in view of the prevailing security situation.
Earlier in the day, Keamari Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amjad Ahmed Shaikh raised police contingents to beef up security at sensitive places.
Two dead and dozens injured in Islamabad
At least two protesters were killed and more than 30 injured during clashes with law enforcement personnel near the Diplomatic Enclave, where people had gathered to protest attacks on Iran.
The clashes occurred after the district administration banned all types of gatherings under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
According to sources at the Polyclinic Hospital, nine injured people were taken there, but one of them died from his injuries.
Sources at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) said one body and 25 injured people were taken to hospital. Among the injured were three police officers and two Rangers personnel.
Eight of those admitted to Pims and the Polyclinic were in critical condition.
Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) spokesperson Hasnain Zaidi speaking to SunriseHe also said that at least two people had died.
He stated that up to 15 protesters were detained and taken to a police station. “We have initiated efforts to secure his release,” he added.
Police resorted to heavy shelling near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in an effort to prevent protesters from entering the Diplomatic Enclave. The police, backed by the Rangers, managed to expel the protesters from the Red Zone.
Late in the afternoon, thousands of people arrived at Aabpara Chowk to march towards the US embassy to protest the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei.
However, the march was stopped by the law enforcement agencies (LEA) at Serena Chowk, where shelling was used, resulting in multiple injuries.
Protesters also manhandled journalists, including cameramen and photographers, snatching their cameras and phones and deleting photographs and videos.
Replying to an earlier question, Zaidi said that when the situation was getting out of control, MWM chief Allama Raja Nasir reached the spot.
“Allama sahibwho is the leader of the opposition in the Senate, has addressed the masses,” added the MWM spokesperson.
In an advisory issued at midday, Islamabad police said all routes leading to the Red Zone, which houses important government buildings, had been closed.
The Islamabad district administration had banned all types of gatherings in the federal capital under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
According to the district administration, all types of meetings and assemblies would be considered illegal under Article 144. It urged residents not to participate in such meetings.
“Strict legal measures will be taken in case of any protest, demonstration or gathering,” the administration warned.
Earlier in the day, the Home Minister visited various areas of Islamabad and reviewed the law and order situation in the Red Zone, Diplomatic Enclave and other areas.
He inspected security arrangements and issued orders to ensure foolproof arrangements in the Diplomatic Enclave.
While noting that peaceful protest was everyone’s right, Naqvi said: “Mischief under the guise of protest cannot be permitted under any circumstances.”
He ordered that security measures must be complete and comprehensive in all aspects, adding: “The law will take its course against disruption of the routines of daily life.”
Islamabad Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi briefed the minister on the law and order situation. Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Deputy Commissioner and other officials were also present on the occasion.
Section 144 imposed across Punjab; Crowd disperses in front of the US consulate
Meanwhile, hundreds of Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) activists gathered in front of the US consulate in Lahore around 11am and attempted to force their way into the building, catching the police off guard.
However, some police officers carrying out routine tasks around the consulate managed to push back the activists protesting the US and Israeli attacks against Iran.
Some protesters said Sunrise that one of his colleagues scaled the consulate’s border wall and was detained by security guards. By then, police reinforcements had arrived and a police inspector negotiated with consulate security to secure the protester’s release.
The protesters, including a large number of women, carried portraits of Khamenei and raised slogans against the United States and Israel.
The MWM had scheduled the protest for 3:00 p.m., but its activists gathered at the site much earlier.
Police cordoned off the area as Tehreek-i-Bedari Ummat-i-Mustafa activists marched from the Punjab Assembly to join the rally at the consulate.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government imposed a ban on gatherings and sit-ins of four or more people across the province for seven days.
Such gatherings were prohibited in “any public place, street, highway or open space except with prior permission of the deputy commissioner concerned”, according to a Home Department notification.
The ban did not apply to marriage ceremonies, funeral prayers, funeral processions, law courts or “assemblies of officials/officials of government or semi-government offices for the performance of official functions.”
A complete ban on “carrying, displaying or brandishing all types of weapons (both licensed and unlicensed) or any material causing destruction in public places” was also imposed for seven days.
The notification clarified that the ban did not apply to personnel of LEAs and security agencies on official duty.
“This order will come into force with immediate effect and will remain in force for a period of seven (07) days, unless modified or withdrawn early,” the notification states.
He stated: “Multiple alerts have been received of credible threats, regarding possible planned terrorist activities by hostile groups targeting Muslim minorities or academics to trigger sectarian unrest.
“Assemblies, rallies, concentrations, sit-ins, processions, demonstrations, jalsas etc could present a convenient target for such terrorist attacks, and the possibility of an untoward incident cannot be ruled out.”
The Department of the Interior noted that there was a “strong fear that certain political, sectarian or anti-social elements may participate in activities, assemblies, meetings or demonstrations that are likely to cause a disturbance of the public peace, disturb public order and create a security risk to the general public and critical infrastructure.”
Curfew in Skardu after protests in GB
Furthermore, when protests intensified in Gilgit-Baltistan after Khamenei’s assassination, a curfew was imposed in Skardu district.
Protesters set fire to the Gilgit and Skardu offices of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
They also set fire to a school, the police superintendent’s office and the Agha Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) office during the protest.
Britain’s police issued a statement saying a curfew had been imposed in Skardu.
The statement said the Pakistan Army had been called to intervene under Section 245 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), and noted that UNMOGIP offices in Skardu and Gilgit were set on fire.
He said no casualties were reported due to the “timely intervention” of the police and administration.
According to police, all foreign tourists in Britain have been moved to safe locations.
Police asked the public to remain peaceful, saying: “It is everyone’s shared responsibility to thwart attempts to damage national property.”
Protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) at several places in Hunza, Nagar and Gilgit, holding photographs of Khamenei and chanting anti-American and anti-Israel slogans. They also staged a sit-in on Siachen Road in Kharmang.
Roads in Shigar and Ghanche also remained blocked, while the Baltistan highway was blocked in Roundu and other areas. Inter-district roads also remained blocked.
Shops, markets, business markets and commercial activities remained suspended in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Nagar, Shigar, Kharmang, Astore and Ghanche, a Sunrise the correspondent reported.
Demonstrations in DI Khan and other areas of KP
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, demonstrations of solidarity with Iran were held in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Paharpur districts.
Hundreds of people staged a rally at DI Khan from Imamia Gate to Fawara Chowk where participants gathered and offered prayers.
The demonstration, led by Allama Ramzan Tauqeer, was organized at the call of the Shia Ulema Council and other organizations.
Leaders and workers from various political and social groups joined the demonstration.
Among those present were Jamaat-i-Islami district president Manzar Masood Khattak, lawyer Zahid Mohibullah and Mian Allah Ditta Sajid of the Khaksar Tehreek, along with people belonging to different schools of thought.
Participants carried portraits of Ayatollah Khamenei and banners with protest slogans, while chants against the United States and Israel were raised.
Speakers called the death of Iran’s supreme leader a serious loss for the Muslim world and warned that such developments could increase tensions in the region. They urged the international community to play its role in ensuring peace and stability.
Addressing the gathering, Allama Tauqeer said the Iranian people were not alone in what he described as a difficult time and the people of Pakistan stood by them.
JI’s Khattak said any violation of a country’s sovereignty is against international law and could have serious consequences. Other speakers also emphasized the need for moderation, dialogue and regional peace.
According to the administration, the demonstration concluded peacefully and no untoward incident was reported.
District police took tight security measures during the demonstration, deploying additional personnel along the route and diverting traffic to alternative roads.
Similar protest rallies were also held in Tank, Paharpur and other adjoining areas. Local authorities said the demonstrations passed peacefully and there were no reports of violence or unrest at any of the locations.
Additional contributions by Irfan Raza, Kalbe Ali
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1976965/10-dead-in-karachi-2-in-islamabad-as-protests-erupt-countrywide-following-iran-supreme-leaders-assassination