Protests against US and Israeli attacks on Iran have turned deadly in Pakistan, with nine people killed in violent skirmishes outside the American Consulate in Karachi. The US Embassy in Islamabad has sounded the alarm, urging its nationals to exercise extreme caution as similar unrest brews near diplomatic outposts in Lahore, Peshawar, and the capital.
The embassy’s alert on social media platform X emphasized tracking local developments and adhering to strict security protocols. ‘Be aware of your surroundings, steer clear of crowded areas, and keep your Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) updated,’ it advised, amid reports of planned rallies at multiple sites.
Dawn newspaper detailed the Karachi chaos on Mai Kolachi Road, where demonstrators clashed fiercely with police. Medical officials at Civil Hospital’s trauma institute reported nine fatalities and 34 wounded. Dr. Sumaiya Syed, the police surgeon, verified the numbers, with victims distributed across top hospitals including Aga Khan University Hospital, Fatimid Foundation, and JPMC, where two policemen are under care.
Echoes of fury reached Gilgit-Baltistan’s Skardu after Iran’s top leader Ali Khamenei’s killing in the strikes. Angry mobs set fire to UNMOGIP offices in Skardu and Gilgit, a local school, police headquarters, and AKRSP offices. No deaths occurred here, but a strict curfew was clamped down, and the army was called in under legal provisions to restore order.
Heightened security measures now blanket the troubled areas, as Pakistan grapples with spillover anger from the Iran crisis. The US advisory underscores the risks, painting a picture of a nation on edge where diplomatic tensions could ignite broader instability. Citizens are warned to stay informed and avoid hotspots as events unfold rapidly.