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Violent clashes hit Pakistan city Violent clashes hit Pakistan city
(20 minutes later)
Rival Pakistani political groups have exchanged gunfire in the streets of Karachi, leaving at least 27 people dead and at least 90 injured. Rival Pakistani political groups have exchanged gunfire in the streets of Karachi, leaving at least 24 people dead and at least 90 injured.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, suspended from his job by President Pervez Musharraf, had flown in to address a rally.Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, suspended from his job by President Pervez Musharraf, had flown in to address a rally.
But the violence meant he was unable to leave the airport. But the violence stopped him leaving the airport, and he abandoned his plan.
Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the unrest, but it denies this. Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the unrest, but it denied the claim.
In the worst violence, supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and activists from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto fought gun battles for an hour.In the worst violence, supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and activists from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto fought gun battles for an hour.
The private Aaj TV channel showed pictures of its office under fire.The private Aaj TV channel showed pictures of its office under fire.
CHAUDHRY SUSPENSION 9 March: Musharraf suspends Chaudhry for "misuse of authority"16 March: Violence at pro-Chaudhry rally in Islamabad3 April: Chaudhry appears before private session of court6 May: Large rally in support of Chaudhry in Lahore12 May: Violence in Karachi, ahead of planned rally Timeline: Judicial crisisCHAUDHRY SUSPENSION 9 March: Musharraf suspends Chaudhry for "misuse of authority"16 March: Violence at pro-Chaudhry rally in Islamabad3 April: Chaudhry appears before private session of court6 May: Large rally in support of Chaudhry in Lahore12 May: Violence in Karachi, ahead of planned rally Timeline: Judicial crisis
"We are under attack," said journalist Talat Hussain on air, sheltering behind a wall."We are under attack," said journalist Talat Hussain on air, sheltering behind a wall.
"We have seen no security force. No-one has come to help us.""We have seen no security force. No-one has come to help us."
Reporters from the Associated Press news agency said they saw five bodies lying in the street, four next to a car which had been raked with gunfire.Reporters from the Associated Press news agency said they saw five bodies lying in the street, four next to a car which had been raked with gunfire.
At least 20 vehicles were set on fire in the violence, AP said.At least 20 vehicles were set on fire in the violence, AP said.
"It is state-sponsored terrorism. The Sindh [province] government is responsible but we are not going to back off," said Sherry Rehman of the PPP."It is state-sponsored terrorism. The Sindh [province] government is responsible but we are not going to back off," said Sherry Rehman of the PPP.
An MQM spokesman denied his party was involved in the violence at the TV station.An MQM spokesman denied his party was involved in the violence at the TV station.
A lawyers' spokesman told the BBC that bar association members in Karachi had been attacked by MQM activists in various parts of the city.A lawyers' spokesman told the BBC that bar association members in Karachi had been attacked by MQM activists in various parts of the city.
"Our colleagues have been brutally attacked while the government has given the MQM a free hand," he said."Our colleagues have been brutally attacked while the government has given the MQM a free hand," he said.
The Sindh High Court was surrounded by hundreds of MQM political activists.The Sindh High Court was surrounded by hundreds of MQM political activists.
The lawyers say that activists attacked them and prevented them from entering the high court premises where Mr Chaudhry had been due to speak.The lawyers say that activists attacked them and prevented them from entering the high court premises where Mr Chaudhry had been due to speak.
Trapped at airportTrapped at airport
Since his suspension on charges of "misuse of authority", Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of Mr Musharraf, who took power in a coup in 1999.Since his suspension on charges of "misuse of authority", Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of Mr Musharraf, who took power in a coup in 1999.
Mr Chaudhry's supporters say that Mr Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate.Mr Chaudhry's supporters say that Mr Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate.
We are under virtual arrest Munir MalikAdvisor to Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry He flew from Islamabad to Karachi on Saturday morning, planning to address a rally in the city. I know that whatever irritant is taking place, is an irritant, is a temporary irritant Pervez MusharrafPakistani president He flew from Islamabad to Karachi on Saturday morning, planning to address a rally in the city.
But after landing, he was unable to leave the airport, because roads into the city were blocked.But after landing, he was unable to leave the airport, because roads into the city were blocked.
One plan was for him to travel to the city centre by helicopter, but Mr Chaudhry insisted that he should be able to travel by road.One plan was for him to travel to the city centre by helicopter, but Mr Chaudhry insisted that he should be able to travel by road.
Munir Malik, an advisor travelling with Mr Chaudhry, told the BBC the authorities had tried to arrest Mr Chaudhry when his flight arrived and he was now trapped. After several hours, Mr Chaudhry departed back to Islamabad.
"He is surrounded by his lawyers. We can neither get out of the airport, nor go into the city. So we are under virtual arrest."
Mr Musharraf has ruled out a state of emergency, and appealed to the country to stand united and peaceful.Mr Musharraf has ruled out a state of emergency, and appealed to the country to stand united and peaceful.
"I know that whatever irritant is taking place, is an irritant, is a temporary irritant, and there is absolutely no requirement, and absolutely no environment of taking such drastic measures," he said.
Mr Musharraf himself is due to address a rally in Islamabad later in the day.Mr Musharraf himself is due to address a rally in Islamabad later in the day.