PESHAWAR: Several protesters fell unconscious due to heavy tear gas shelling by police to stop them from moving towards the consulate of United States in Peshawar enraged agitators took to streets following US-Israel attack on Iran and the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday.

The protesters, including women and children, gathered outside Peshawar Press Club and started marching towards the US consulate in the provincial capital. They were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the United States and Israel.

A heavy contingent of police barricaded the road leading to the US consulate and stopped the protesters from moving ahead. Some protesters, however, resorted to violence. Police fired tear gas shells at protesters and also resorted to baton charge.

The shelling of tear gas and baton charge forced protesters to disperse but they gathered again near Khana-i-Farhang-i-Iran. Officials, however, said that the situation was under control.

Demonstrators including women and children stopped from marching towards US consulate

The call for the protest was given by religious scholars, who said that the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei was state terrorism. They alleged that the United States and Israel were the founders of terrorism worldwide.

Rallies were also held in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and Paharpur to express solidarity with Iranian people.

In Dera Ismail Khan district, hundreds of people staged a rally to express solidarity with the Iranian people following reports regarding death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The procession began at Imamia Gate and concluded at Fawara Chowk where participants held a gathering and offered prayers.

The rally was organised on the call of Shia Ulema Council and other Shia organisations. The procession was led by Allama Ramzan Tauqeer.

Leaders and workers of various political and social groups joined the demonstration. President of Jamaat-i-Islami Manzar Masood Khattak, Advocate Zahid Mohibullah and Mian Allah Ditta Sajid of Khaksar Tehreek along with people belonging to different schools of thought attended the rally.

The participants of the rally were carrying portraits of Ayatollah Khamenei and placards inscribed with different slogans. They also chanted slogans against the United States and Israel.

Speakers on the occasion termed the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei a great loss for the Muslim world. They said that such developments could escalate tension in the region. They urged international community to play its role in ensuring peace and stability.

Addressing the gathering, Allama Ramzan Tauqeer said that Iranian people were not alone in that difficult time and that the people of Pakistan stood with them.

Manzar Masood Khattak said on the occasion that any violation of a country’s sovereignty was against international law and could have serious consequences. Other speakers stressed the need for restraint, dialogue and regional peace.

Heavy security arrangements were made by police during the rally. Additional personnel were deployed along the route of rally and traffic was diverted to alternative roads. According to administration, the rally concluded peacefully and no untoward incident was reported.

Similar protest rallies were also held in Tank, Paharpur and other adjoining areas. Local authorities said that demonstrations remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or disruption from any of the locations.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2026