Pakistan has imposed a three-day curfew and deployed military forces in parts of the country after violent pro-Iran protests left dozens dead and wounded, authorities said, underscoring a major public order crisis linked to international tensions. The unrest was triggered by outrage over the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during recent airstrikes by United States and Israel. Demonstrations erupted across Pakistan, particularly in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region and the southern port city of Karachi, as thousands of protesters took to the streets to express solidarity with Iran and condemn the strikes.

In the mountainous cities of Gilgit and Skardu, clashes between demonstrators and security forces resulted in several deaths and numerous injuries as crowds attacked local administrative buildings and United Nations offices. Authorities responded by calling in army troops under constitutional powers and sealing off key districts with a strict curfew to contain further violence.

Simultaneously, in Karachi and other major cities, demonstrations turned deadly as crowds tried to storm diplomatic compounds and clashed with police. The unrest spilled into Pakistan’s capital region, where at least two protesters have reportedly been killed and dozens more injured amid confrontations near the diplomatic enclave.

Interior and regional authorities say the curfew — currently in force for March 2, 3, and 4 — aims to restore order after the escalation of violence. Army personnel and paramilitary units have been stationed on major roads and around sensitive installations to enforce restrictions on movement and public gatherings. The government’s decision to impose a curfew reflects the severity of the unrest, which has been described by officials as unprecedented in scale in recent years. The protests, driven by sectarian solidarity and anti-Western sentiment following the Middle East conflict, have added to Pakistan’s multifaceted security challenges, coming amid ongoing border clashes with Afghanistan and economic pressures at home.

Authorities have also restricted communications in affected regions and urged residents to remain indoors, warning that curfew breaches could lead to strict legal consequences. Religious leaders in the Shiite community, which constitutes a significant minority in Pakistan, have called for continued demonstrations despite the clampdown, raising fears of further instability during the curfew period. As troops take to the streets and curfews are enforced, Pakistan faces mounting challenges in balancing public security with the expression of public grief and outrage tied to broader regional conflict.