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Deadly clashes rock Pakistan city Deadly clashes rock Pakistan city
(40 minutes later)
At least 20 people have died in ethnic clashes in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, officials say.At least 20 people have died in ethnic clashes in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, officials say.
Eyewitnesses said vehicles had been torched in different parts of the city, which is Pakistan's commercial capital and has a history of ethnic violence.Eyewitnesses said vehicles had been torched in different parts of the city, which is Pakistan's commercial capital and has a history of ethnic violence.
Karachi is dominated by Urdu-speakers, but there is also a growing population of ethnic Pashtuns.Karachi is dominated by Urdu-speakers, but there is also a growing population of ethnic Pashtuns.
The city's police chief told Reuters news agency that the fighting was between members of the two groups. Officials said the fighting was between members of the two groups, and started after an unidentified man opened fire.
It is not clear how the latest fighting began. Doctors in Karachi hospitals said they had received bodies riddled with gunshot wounds. "These are the targeted killings by the criminals, drug and land mafias who want to fan ethnic violence in the city," said Faisal Subzwari, a provincial minister.
Mr Subzwari, a member of the Urdu-speaking Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), said three of those killed were from his party.
The MQM is an ally of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's Pakistan Peoples Party.
Bodies riddled
A spokesman for Mr Zardari said the Pakistani leader condemned the violence and called for unity.
"The president said that the nation could not afford violence in Karachi at a time when it was already dealing with the militants in northern parts of the country," said the spokesman, Farhatullah Barbar.
Doctors in Karachi hospitals said they had received bodies riddled with gunshot wounds.
A spokesman for the Pakistan Rangers paramilitary force said it had arrested 25 suspects and recovered weapons and ammunition from them, AFP news agency reported.
Karachi, a city of over 15 million, is the capital of Sindh province.Karachi, a city of over 15 million, is the capital of Sindh province.
It contains many Urdu-speaking Muslims descended from people who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947.It contains many Urdu-speaking Muslims descended from people who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947.
The Pashtun population has grown further since last year when tens of thousands were displaced by the military operation in the country's north-western tribal areas.The Pashtun population has grown further since last year when tens of thousands were displaced by the military operation in the country's north-western tribal areas.
Some polititians have voiced fears of Taleban infiltration of the Pashtun community. Some politicians have voiced fears of Taleban infiltration of the Pashtun community.