Karachi: At least 25 people were killed and more than 130 injured as protests turned violent in Karachi, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan, including Skardu where six protesters were killed, with the deadliest clashes reported outside the United States Consulate in Karachi, where demonstrators attempted to storm the diplomatic compound, officials and hospital sources said on Sunday.
Hospital officials confirmed that 10 people were killed in Karachi, two in Islamabad’s Red Zone, and at least 13 in Gilgit-Baltistan, including six deaths reported from Skardu town, while dozens sustained gunshot wounds and other injuries during clashes with security personnel.
In Karachi, the violence erupted during a protest outside the heavily fortified US Consulate, where demonstrators had gathered before the situation escalated into clashes and firing.
Hospital officials said several injured protesters and bodies were brought to the Trauma Centre Karachi following the unrest near the diplomatic facility.
Head of the Trauma Centre Dr Sabir Memon confirmed that nine bodies were brought to the facility while another injured person later died during treatment, taking the death toll in Karachi to 10.
“A total of 73 injured people were brought to hospitals in Karachi, including 35 who were shifted to the Trauma Centre, where one later succumbed to injuries while the remaining are under treatment,” Dr Sabir Memon said, adding that most of the wounded had suffered gunshot injuries.
Hospital authorities said the injured were provided emergency medical care immediately upon arrival. Two patients were later shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for further treatment and their condition was reported to be stable and out of danger.
Some injured protesters receiving treatment at the Trauma Centre claimed that violence erupted when demonstrators managed to enter parts of the fortified consulate compound, after which security personnel opened fire.
“We were part of the protest outside the consulate and people suddenly rushed towards the compound. When some protesters managed to get inside, firing started and several people fell after being hit by bullets,” one injured protester told reporters.
Another wounded protester said the situation turned chaotic within moments.
“There was panic everywhere. People were running in different directions after the firing started. Many protesters were hit by bullets and were later taken to hospitals,” he said.
In Islamabad, two people were reported killed and at least 19 injured during clashes and firing in the Red Zone, where protesters attempted to move towards sensitive government installations before security forces intervened.
Officials said the bodies of two young men aged around 24 to 25 years were brought to Polyclinic Hospital, while several injured people were shifted to hospitals in the federal capital as authorities tightened security across Islamabad amid fears of further unrest.
Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan reported at least 13 deaths and dozens of injuries as protests also turned violent in several towns of the region.
Local officials and hospital sources said at least 43 people were injured in different areas of Gilgit-Baltistan during clashes linked to the demonstrations.
Authorities said internet and mobile phone services were disrupted in several areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, making it difficult to obtain accurate information about the evolving situation.
Officials said at least six people were killed in Skardu during clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies, while at least 35 others were injured, some of them reported to be in serious condition. Hospital sources said the casualties occurred as demonstrations turned violent and protesters confronted security personnel, leading to firing and baton charges in several parts of the city.
Following the violence in Sindh, Provincial Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho directed all public and private hospitals across the province to remain on high alert and ensure emergency preparedness.
In a directive issued to hospital administrations, the health minister instructed them to immediately strengthen security arrangements and remain vigilant about the movement of people entering hospital premises.
Dr Pechuho also ordered hospitals to ensure active monitoring of CCTV cameras and establish alternative surveillance mechanisms where cameras were not available.
She further directed hospital administrations to keep a close watch on suspicious individuals and ensure that medical staff remain fully alert in view of the evolving situation.
Hospital administrations were also asked to keep all critical departments fully operational to deal with any emergency situation and consider cancelling staff leave if required.
Officials said the provincial health department was closely monitoring the situation while hospitals were instructed to ensure the availability of emergency medicines, blood supplies and trauma care teams.
Authorities also confirmed that the Ministry of Interior has placed Karachi, Islamabad and several other parts of the country on high alert, with security agencies closely monitoring the situation following the violent protests.
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