Court approves release on bail as nationwide riots leave 23 dead and dozens injured
Security personnel stand guard outside the US consulate in Karachi on March 1, 2026. PHOTO: AFP
An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Monday granted bail to 42 people arrested in connection with vandalism and damage to property during protests following the assassination of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case and granted bail to all the accused on surety of Rs10,000 each.
The police had registered two separate cases against the accused – one at Secretariat police station and the other at Aabpara police station – under terrorism and other charges.
The protests in question erupted after Ali Khamenei was killed during attacks by the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic. Crowds of people took to the streets across Pakistan and the situation turned violent in many areas.
Read: Assassination of Khamenei: At least 23 killed as protests turn deadly across Pakistan
At least 23 protesters were killed in clashes across the country, including 10 outside the US consulate in Karachi, 11 in the northern city of Skardu – where crowds torched a UN office and the army was deployed to control the situation – and two in the capital, Islamabad.
In Karachi, protesters chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate, where gunshots were heard and tear gas fired in the surrounding streets. The protesters also set fire to a vehicle outside the main gate and clashed with police, with stone-throwing intensifying as reinforcements were called in from across the city.
The police responded with tear gas and shooting. Police surgeon Dr. Sameeya Tariq confirmed in a statement that 96 others were injured in the violence.
Read more: Trump says the US is in contact with Iran, but doubts Tehran is ready for serious talks
Protesters also took to the streets in other parts of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. In Lahore, police said hundreds gathered outside the US consulate, where minor clashes broke out as police fired tear gas to control the crowd.
In the federal capital, thousands of protesters carrying black flags and chanting “Down with America!” and anti-Israel slogans, gathered in Aabpara Chowk and attempted to march towards the US Embassy despite heavy police deployment and containers placed to seal the red zone.
Protesters threw stones at the police, entered the cordoned off area and reached the entrance of the diplomatic enclave. Police responded with tear gas and aerial firing, using armored vehicles to push the protesters back to Aabpara Chowk.
