Pakistan has been plunged into turmoil, with widespread protests and deadly violence erupting across the country. The catalyst? The recent killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli attack. This tragic event ignited a wave of anger, leading authorities to deploy the military and enforce a three-day curfew in several northern regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan.
The situation turned grim quickly, with at least 24 people losing their lives and dozens more injured in clashes. In Gilgit-Baltistan, both protesters and a security officer were killed, and the unrest wasn’t limited to street confrontations. Demonstrators even attacked and vandalized offices of the United Nations Military Observer Group and the UN Development Programme in Skardu, highlighting the depth of public outrage.
Major cities also became hotspots of violence. In Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling commercial hub, 10 people died during protests outside the US consulate. The capital, Islamabad, saw two fatalities as protesters moved towards the US embassy. Unsurprisingly, American diplomatic missions across Pakistan have cancelled services and significantly heightened security, citing safety concerns.
With law and order “deteriorating,” the federal government has warned of more large-scale demonstrations ahead. The UN has also expressed serious concerns about the safety of its personnel. This internal turmoil in Pakistan unfolds against a backdrop of broader regional tensions, with Tehran reportedly responding to Khamenei’s death with its own missile and drone attacks. While authorities work to restore calm, Pakistan remains on edge, grappling with the profound fallout of a leader’s death on foreign soil.
Source: https://turks.us/pakistan-calls-troops-orders-3-day-curfew-as-24-killed-in-pro-iran-rallies/
