The United States government has admitted that its personnel fired at protesters who attempted to storm the US consulate in Karachi. In a conversation with news agencies, two US officials stated that the Marines fired shots, but it is unclear whether anyone was hit or killed. The US officials claimed that the shots were fired from within the consulate compound.
According to reports, the protesters attempted to enter the consulate, leading to a violent confrontation. The situation escalated into a full-blown riot, resulting in the deaths of 11 people. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), visited the Iranian embassy in Islamabad, expressing his concerns over the situation.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that US President Joe Biden attempted to divert international attention from the Gaza crisis by launching a strike on Iran. In response to the crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of parliamentary leaders to discuss the global situation.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan stated that the Prime Minister has not decided to leave the country and expressed his hope that the former Prime Minister would be released from jail before Eid. Khan also warned that the region could be plagued by further instability.
PTI’s Federal Minister for Information stated that the government is working to resolve the situation through a comprehensive economic program. He emphasized that the issue requires a clear understanding of the underlying politics.
According to reports, the Pakistani military has successfully repelled an attack by the Afghan Taliban in Paktika, killing several militants and capturing 31 others. The Pakistani government has also issued an alert for Pakistani citizens in Saudi Arabia, advising them to remain calm and follow Saudi government instructions.
The daughter of PTI Chairman Imran Khan expressed her desire to meet with her father but emphasized that his health is more important than any other consideration. She announced that all parliamentary leaders will be invited to an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis.
Reports have circulated on social media claiming that Pakistan has partially closed its airspace to commercial flights. However, government officials have denied these claims, stating that the airspace remains open.
In a separate incident, a domestic worker was arrested in Lahore for stealing valuables and jewelry worth 80 lakh rupees from her employer’s house. A protestor injured during the clashes outside the US consulate in Karachi has also succumbed to their injuries.
The Pakistani Meteorological Department has forecast a clear and sunny day for the coming week, with temperatures expected to rise during the day.
According to Iranian sources, Majid bin Reza took over as the defense minister two days after the death of former Defense Minister Amir Nasir Zada.
The United Arab Emirates has stated that it will not allow its airspace to be used for an attack on Iran.
Indian opposition leader Sonia Gandhi has criticized the Indian government for ignoring its long-time ally, Iran. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry has stated that Iran did not inform them of the missile attacks before launching them.
Russia has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could lead to an arms race in the region.
