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Violent clashes hit Pakistan city | Violent clashes hit Pakistan city |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Rival Pakistani political groups have exchanged gunfire in the streets of Karachi, leaving at least 24 people dead and more than 50 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 meant he was unable to leave the airport. |
Opposition groups blamed the MQM party, which runs Karachi, of organising the unrest, but it denies this. | Opposition groups blamed the MQM party, which runs Karachi, of organising the unrest, but it denies this. |
In the worst violence, supporters of the pro-Musharraf 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 the pro-Musharraf 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 crisis | 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 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." | |
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. | |
"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 public holiday had been declared in the city and the streets were largely deserted. | A public holiday had been declared in the city and the streets were largely deserted. |
Trapped at airport | Trapped at airport |
Since his suspension on charges of "misuse of authority", Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of President 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 President Musharraf, who took power in a coup in 1999. |
A number of people were injured in clashes | A number of people were injured in clashes |
Mr Chaudhry's supporters say that President Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate. | Mr Chaudhry's supporters say that President Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate. |
He flew from Islamabad to Karachi on Saturday morning, planning to address a rally in the city. | 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. |
President Musharraf has ruled out a state of emergency, and appealed to the country to stand united and peaceful. | President Musharraf has ruled out a state of emergency, and appealed to the country to stand united and peaceful. |
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. |
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. |
"This is the end of rule of law in the country." | "This is the end of rule of law in the country." |
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. |