At least nine people died and about 25 were injured on Sunday in violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces following the savage assault on the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, local authorities said.
According to the police, the demonstrators tried to break into the perimeter of the consulate and caused material damage, including the breaking of windows in the building and the burning of a nearby police post. Police and paramilitary forces intervened to disperse the crowd and restore order. “The situation is now completely under control,” said a senior police official. On the other hand, the armed forces of the United States stationed at the diplomatic headquarters, also acted against the situation, suppressing the aggressions
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Health authorities confirmed that initially six bodies were transferred to the city's main government hospital, but the death toll rose to nine after the death of three critically injured.
Several injured people remain hospitalized with serious injuries
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The provincial government of Sindh urged people to express their opinions peacefully and warned that it will not tolerate acts of violence. Authorities tightened security around U.S. diplomatic facilities across the country to prevent new incidents
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In other cities, there were also protests. In Multan, in the province of Punjab, a rally was held in which participants chanted slogans against the United States and Israel. In Lahore, demonstrators tried to march to the American consulate, but police blocked their way and dispersed the mobilization before it reached the building
. Shebaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, expressed his condolences to Iran for the death of the totalitarian Khamenei
In addition, rallies were announced in Islamabad, where the government increased security measures around the U.S. embassy. Officials said that heightened vigilance will be maintained as long as tension persists
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The Shiite community in Pakistan, which represents about 15% of the national population, has previously organized demonstrations against Israel and the United States, although clashes of this magnitude are rare. The authorities continue to investigate the events and assess the damage, while the country remains alert to possible new mobilizations
