Pakistanis protesting against Hezbollah leader’s killing clash with Karachi police

7 officers were injured by stones thrown by protesters who chanted ‘Death to America’, while carrying posters of Hassan Nasrallah

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Police fire tear gas shells to disperse the supporters of Shi’ite Muslims bodies, rallying to protest against the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during an anti-Israel protest in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:56am, 30 Sep 2024

Stone-throwing protesters in Pakistan’s southern city of Karachi clashed on Sunday with police who stopped them from reaching the US consulate during demonstrations over Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Protesters chanted “Death to America”, while carrying posters of Nasrallah.

Police said seven officers were injured and receiving treatment in hospital from stones thrown by protesters.

Supporters of Shiite Muslim bodies protest against the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE

“Police had to resort to baton charging and tear gas against those who breached the cordons in a bid to disperse the crowd,” said Police Deputy Inspector General Asad Raza, adding that protesters had tried to reach areas beyond cordons agreed upon with organisers in advance.

He said police would register criminal cases against protesters who acted violently.

Pro-Iran Shiite religious political party Majlis Wahadatul Muslimeen had organised the rally of around 3,000 people in Pakistan’s most populous city.

Following the death of Nasrallah – killed in an air strike in Beirut on Friday – Hezbollah fired new fusillades of rockets into Israel, while Iran said his death would be avenged.