The Iran-US-Israel conflict is now triggering serious unrest beyond the battlefield, with Pakistan witnessing widespread protests following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Demonstrations have erupted across several cities, targeting the United States and Israel, as public anger intensifies. The turmoil comes at a sensitive time for Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir are seen as maintaining diplomatic engagement with Washington amid the escalating regional crisis.
Protests Turn Violent
Large crowds took to the streets in multiple Pakistani cities after news of Khamenei’s death circulated. Protesters raised anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, accusing both countries of carrying out aggression against Iran. What began as demonstrations quickly escalated into violent confrontations in some areas.
Security forces, including police and army units, were deployed to restore order. Reports indicate that firing was carried out to disperse aggressive crowds as clashes intensified. Unofficial accounts suggest that dozens of people may have been killed or injured, though there has been no comprehensive official confirmation of casualty figures.
The unrest reflects growing anger among segments of Pakistani society, particularly religious and political groups that have strongly criticised Washington’s role in the conflict. The developments have added to domestic pressure on the government as regional tensions rise.
Calls To Exit ‘Board Of Peace’
Alongside street protests, demands have emerged for Pakistan to withdraw from US President Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’, an initiative aimed at promoting dialogue in conflicts such as Gaza. Critics argue that continued participation in the forum contradicts public sentiment in light of the strikes on Iran.
Former Pakistani ambassador to the United Nations, the Unit ed States and the United Kingdom, Maleeha Lodhi, has also called for Islamabad to reconsider its position. In a post on social media platform X, she said Pakistan should exit the initiative, arguing it should not be part of a body led by a figure associated with multiple military interventions and whose administration backs Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The situation underscores the widening regional impact of the Iran conflict, with political and public pressures mounting inside Pakistan.
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