ISLAMABAD, March 1 (KUNA) - At least nine people lost their lives on Sunday as protestors marching towards the United States Consulate, following the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, clashed with law enforcement personnel on Mai Kolachi Road of Pakistan's southern Karachi city.
The executive director of the Civil Hospital Karachi, Dr. Mohammad Sabir Memon, in a statement to media confirmed that nine people have died while 34 others sustained injuries during the protests near the consulate. The wounds to 34 injured and all the deceased resulted from "gunshots". The US Embassy in Islamabad said that they are monitoring reports of ongoing demonstrations at the US Consulate General in Karachi and Lahore, as well as calls for additional demonstrations at the US Embassy in Islamabad and Consulate General Peshawar. "We advise US citizens in Pakistan to monitor local news and observe good personal security practices, including being aware of your surroundings, avoiding large crowds, and ensuring your STEP (Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme) registration is up to date, " the statement by the embassy read. Security has been beefed up around the US Consulate, while roads near the consulate were closed off to traffic. Protests were also held in the federal capital Islamabad, eastern Lahore city and northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. Following the Karachi incident, the Islamabad district administration banned all kinds of gatherings in the federal capital under Section 144 and urged residents not to take part in any such gathering. The Islamabad police issued an advisory saying that all routes leading to the Red Zone, which houses important government buildings, had been closed. (end) sbk.aa