Jafria Alliance announces three-day mourning

Leaders of the Shia community on Sunday announced three days of mourning across Pakistan in protest against the reported martyrdom of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli airstrike.

Speaking at a press conference at Pak Muharram Hall, Jafria Alliance President Allama Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi, along with Allama Shabbir Hasan Maisami, Allama Qazi Noorani, Allama Amin Shaheedi, Allama Sadiq Jafri, Maulana Asad Iqbal, Maulana Hayat Abbas Najafi, Surosh, Aun Haider and others, condemned violence against peaceful protest rallies held nationwide.

The leaders urged Muslims across Pakistan to hoist black flags as a symbol of solidarity with the wider Islamic world. They strongly denounced police firing on unarmed mourners, particularly in Karachi, where at least 10 protesters were killed and hundreds injured.

They demanded action against police and security officials responsible, and called for an FIR to be registered against the US Consul General for the killings.

They further demanded the immediate dismissal of Home Minister Zia Lanjhar, closure of US diplomatic missions in Pakistan, and expulsion of the US ambassador. They also condemned firing on women mourners near Merewether Tower and sought accountability of the security personnel involved.

They announced that a condolence gathering for Ayatollah Khamenei, Iranian martyrs, and victims of the US Consulate attack will be held at Nishtar Park.