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| Troops deploy in 'tense' Karachi | Troops deploy in 'tense' Karachi |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Troops are patrolling Karachi's streets amid further clashes following a day of major political violence in Pakistan. | Troops are patrolling Karachi's streets amid further clashes following a day of major political violence in Pakistan. |
| At least 34 people died on Saturday in street battles in the city between supporters of the country's president and those of its suspended top judge. | At least 34 people died on Saturday in street battles in the city between supporters of the country's president and those of its suspended top judge. |
| At least one person died on Sunday as rival groups again took to the streets. | At least one person died on Sunday as rival groups again took to the streets. |
| President Musharraf suspended judge Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in March, but he has since become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule. | President Musharraf suspended judge Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in March, but he has since become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule. |
| Karachi police chief Azhar Farooqi described the situation in the city as "very tense". | Karachi police chief Azhar Farooqi described the situation in the city as "very tense". |
| If you really feel sorry over what has happened in Karachi, then stop these protests President Pervez Musharraf href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6650863.stm">Familiar theme to violence class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6650445.stm">Lawless streets | |
| On Sunday, up to 1,000 protesters were reported to have blocked the main highway with burning tyres and pelted vehicles with stones. At least one person has been killed. | On Sunday, up to 1,000 protesters were reported to have blocked the main highway with burning tyres and pelted vehicles with stones. At least one person has been killed. |
| Meanwhile, the casualty toll from Saturday's violence rose overnight to 36 dead and about 150 wounded, many from gunshots, the Associated Press reported. | Meanwhile, the casualty toll from Saturday's violence rose overnight to 36 dead and about 150 wounded, many from gunshots, the Associated Press reported. |
| Appeal for calm | Appeal for calm |
| Mr Chaudhry abandoned plans to address a rally in the city on Saturday, finding his way into the city blocked. | Mr Chaudhry abandoned plans to address a rally in the city on Saturday, finding his way into the city blocked. |
| 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 |
| Karachi later turned into a battleground as supporters and opponents of the President Pervez Musharraf exchanged gunfire on the streets. | Karachi later turned into a battleground as supporters and opponents of the President Pervez Musharraf exchanged gunfire on the streets. |
| Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the unrest, but it denied the claim. | Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the unrest, but it denied the claim. |
| Speaking at a mass rally in Islamabad on Saturday night, Mr Musharraf ruled out declaring a state of emergency and appealed to the country to stand united. | Speaking at a mass rally in Islamabad on Saturday night, Mr Musharraf ruled out declaring a state of emergency and appealed to the country to stand united. |
| "If you really feel sorry over what has happened in Karachi, then stop these protests," he said. | "If you really feel sorry over what has happened in Karachi, then stop these protests," he said. |
| He also blamed "elements who tried to create turmoil by politicising" Chief Justice Chaudhry's suspension. | He also blamed "elements who tried to create turmoil by politicising" Chief Justice Chaudhry's suspension. |
| Cause celebre | Cause celebre |
| 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. |
| The situation on Karachi's streets is said to be "tense" | The situation on Karachi's streets is said to be "tense" |
| The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says opposition parties have turned Mr Chaudhry's case into a campaign against military rule. | The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says opposition parties have turned Mr Chaudhry's case into a campaign against military rule. |
| His supporters say that Mr Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate. | His supporters say that Mr Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate. |
| Our correspondent says tension had been building ahead of the judge's visit when the local authorities announced plans for a counter rally. | Our correspondent says tension had been building ahead of the judge's visit when the local authorities announced plans for a counter rally. |
| But she says the scale of the confrontation took people by surprise. | But she says the scale of the confrontation took people by surprise. |
| In the worst violence, MQM supporters 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, MQM supporters and activists from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto fought gun battles for an hour. |