Key Thoroughfares Blocked, Schools Closed Amid Unrest
Two of Karachi’s main arteries remained sealed for a second consecutive day on Monday, March 2, 2026, as Pakistan’s largest city grappled with violent protests following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in reported US-Israeli strikes. The metropolis witnessed severe traffic disruptions and a significant security lockdown, particularly around the US Consulate.
Security Gridlock and Route Closures
Authorities maintained a tight cordon around the American diplomatic mission. Critical routes, including PIDC Chowk, Boat Basin, and the Tower area, were blocked with shipping containers. Key closures included:
- The PIDC Chowk to MT Khan Road bridge.
- Molvi Tamizuddin Road from Mere Weather Tower.
- The route from Boat Basin to Mai Kolachi Bypass.
Police and Rangers personnel were deployed in rotating shifts outside the consulate. While some roads, like Sharea Faisal near the FTC flyover, were reopened later, the core security perimeter remained impassable.
Violence and Casualties
The protests turned violent on Sunday. A traffic police post under the Sultanabad bridge was set ablaze, and law enforcement resorted to shelling near the Central Police Office on II Chundrigar Road to disperse a rally. According to police and hospital sources, at least 34 people were injured, with all casualties resulting from gunshot wounds. The Sindh government confirmed that protesters breached the outer security cordon of the US consulate, leading to vandalism.
Official Response and Investigation
In response to the crisis, the Sindh government has formed a high-level Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the incident. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed deep sorrow over Khamenei’s death and called for an impartial investigation. He also contacted prominent religious leaders, urging them to help calm public sentiment and maintain peace.
“The Chief Minister has appealed to religious scholars to play their role in maintaining peace and also called on the public to cooperate with the government in the interest of law and order,” a government statement said. Schools in the affected zones were granted holidays due to the ongoing road closures and security concerns.
The unrest in Karachi is part of a wider wave of protests across Pakistan following the geopolitical shock of Khamenei’s assassination, highlighting the immediate regional repercussions of the escalating Middle East crisis.
