ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday convened a high-level meeting to review internal and regional security situation, Sharif’s office said, amid nationwide protests over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Islamabad’s ongoing military operation against Afghan forces.

Protests erupted in several cities across Pakistan on Sunday after the killing of the Iranian supreme leader in US-Israeli joint strikes, with at least 16 people killed and dozens more injured in clashes with law enforcement agencies.

The unrest came amid Pakistan’s ongoing military operation against Afghan forces following a series of tit-for-tat strikes by the neighbors which began after Islamabad hit what it said were Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Daesh camps in Afghanistan on Feb 21-22.

During Sunday’s meeting, officials briefed PM Sharif and other participants about the country’s internal situation and security arrangements in place to thwart any untoward incident, according to Sharif’s office.

“Pakistan’s role and various measures to establish peace in the region were reviewed at the meeting,” Sharif’s office said. “The situation in Afghanistan was also reviewed in detail at the meeting.”

The development came shortly after Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that 415 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and more than 580 wounded since the latest phase of hostilities between the neighbors began on Thursday.

Afghan officials earlier said that dozens of Pakistani soldiers had been killed and several Pakistan posts had been captured by their forces. None of the casualty figures or battlefield claims from either side could be independently verified.

Earlier in the day, gunshots and explosions were reported in Kabul. Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft over the capital.

“Air defense attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft,” Mujahid wrote on X. “Kabul residents should not be concerned.”

KHAMENEI KILLING ‘VIOLATION’ OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

Separately, Sharif said the killing of Khamenei was a “violation” of international law.

“People of Pakistan join the people of Iran in their hour of grief and sorrow and extend the most sincere condolences on the martyrdom [of Khamenei],” he wrote on X.

“Pakistan also expresses concern over violation of the norms of international law.”

EVACUATION OF PAKISTANIS FROM IRAN

At Sunday’s meeting, officials of the foreign ministry also briefed the prime minister on the evacuation of Pakistani citizens from Iran, according to a statement issued from Sharif’s office.

“The evacuation of Pakistani citizens from Iran is being made possible through Azerbaijan,” they were quoted as saying.

Pakistan earlier asked its citizens in Gulf countries to exercise caution, avoid travel and strictly follow official adviseries, amid escalating tensions following the killing of Khamenei.

The foreign ministry shared emergency contact details of Pakistani embassies and consulates for the facilitation of Pakistani nationals abroad.