Hundreds of minority Shiites rallied across Pakistan on Friday, vehemently denouncing the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in recent US-Israeli military strikes. The protests unfolded as the US Embassy in Islamabad issued a critical security alert, warning American citizens of potential violence and urging them to limit their movements.
Major Demonstrations in Islamabad and Karachi
In the capital city of Islamabad, approximately 300 protesters staged a sit-in under a heavy police presence. They held posters of Khamenei and chanted slogans such as "Death to America" and "Death to Israel." To prevent any escalation, Islamabad police strategically parked shipping containers on roads leading to the US Embassy, which is located about 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from the protest site. Authorities confirmed that the demonstrators had agreed not to march toward the embassy, with plans to conclude their sit-in later that day.
Heightened Security and Past Violence
Security measures were significantly bolstered in the port city of Karachi, where hundreds of Shiites had stormed the US Consulate just days earlier on Sunday. During that incident, protesters smashed windows and attempted to set the building on fire, prompting police to respond with batons, tear gas, and live fire to disperse the crowd. The violence resulted in 10 protester fatalities in Karachi, with at least 13 more killed in northern cities including Skardu and Gilgit. On Friday, Shiite protesters in Karachi gathered approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the consulate, maintaining a cautious distance.
Broader Protests and US Warnings
Separately, smaller groups of Sunni protesters also rallied in Islamabad and Karachi on Friday, expressing opposition to the US-Israeli war with Iran. These demonstrations were held far from US diplomatic missions, and no violence was reported. In response to the escalating tensions, the US Embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert ahead of the protests, advising Americans to restrict their movements. An updated travel advisory further warned US citizens against travel to Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir due to heightened risks of terrorism and kidnapping.
Background and Significance
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran since 1989, has long been a central religious and political figure for Shiites worldwide, including in Pakistan where Shiites constitute roughly 15% of the population of about 250 million, with the majority being Sunni Muslims. His death in a joint US-Israeli operation at the start of the war last week has sparked widespread outrage among Shiite communities, fueling the current wave of protests and underscoring the deep-seated geopolitical tensions in the region.
