Hundreds try to storm US consulate in Pakistan's Karachi

KARACHI, PAKISTAN - Hundreds of pro-Iranian protesters tried to storm the United States consulate in the Pakistan megacity of Karachi on Sunday, an AFP journalist saw.

A crowd of young people climbed over the main gate and gained access to the driveway of the consular building, smashing some windows.

Police fired tear gas at the protesters who dispersed, the AFP journalist saw.

Videos on social media showed youngsters smashing the windows of the main building of the consulate as the American flag could be seen flying over the compound, whose perimeter is topped with barbed wire.

"We need to remain united. No power can stop us," a young protester could be heard saying.

"We are setting the American consulate in Karachi on fire. God willing, we are avenging the killing of our leader," another protester said as he filmed others trying to start a blaze.

Thousands of people are also taking to the streets in the eastern city of Lahore and in northern Skardu, with a demonstration expected in the afternoon near the diplomatic enclave housing the US embassy in Islamabad.