The fatalities included 10 people in Karachi, at least eight in Skardu, and two in the capital, Islamabad.
Protests broke out across Pakistan on Sunday, leaving 20 people dead and dozens injured nationwide, after the United States and Israel confirmed the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in coordinated air strikes on Tehran.
The fatalities included 10 people in Karachi, at least eight in Skardu, and two in the capital, Islamabad.
The demonstrations, largely led by members of Pakistan’s Shia Muslim community, intensified as security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds.
Pakistan, a nation of more than 250 million people, is predominantly Sunni Muslim, though Shia Muslims make up more than 20 percent of the population and live across the country.
In Islamabad, thousands gathered near the Red Zone, the heavily fortified area that houses parliament, government offices, and foreign embassies. Protesters chanted slogans against the United States and Israel and called for retaliation.
Between 5,000 and 8,000 demonstrators, including women and children, assembled near one of the capital’s largest hotels, carrying placards bearing Khamenei’s image.
One protester, Syed Nayab Zehra, 28, said she joined the rally with her family to show solidarity with Iranians, even if “our government is not with you.”
“We want to show the world that Shia should not be taken lightly. We are here to remind the world that we will seek justice. We cannot expect much from our own government, but we will stand up for our community,” she said.
Pakistan’s government condemned the joint US-Israel military strike that killed Khamenei, while also criticizing Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf countries.
During the protest, some participants urged the crowd to march toward the diplomatic enclave, while others called for calm and discipline.
Ali Nawab, a member of the Shia political party Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, said organizers had coordinated with authorities to ensure the protest remained peaceful.
“There are a few individuals trying to provoke unrest and push us into actions we did not plan. We are here for a cause and will proceed only as agreed,” he said.
Authorities blocked roads leading to the Red Zone, which includes the US Embassy and other diplomatic missions.
When protesters attempted to move forward, security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets. Witnesses also reported hearing live gunfire.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar “strongly condemned the unwarranted attacks on Iran” and urged an immediate end to the escalation, calling for diplomacy to resolve the crisis.
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