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Troops deploy in 'tense' Karachi Fresh clashes on Karachi streets
(about 5 hours later)
Troops are patrolling Karachi's streets amid further clashes following a day of major political violence in Pakistan. Fresh clashes in Karachi have claimed at least four lives a day after major political violence hit Pakistan.
Troops have deployed across the city, but gunfire was heard in several areas, shops and vehicles were set alight and the police were pelted with stones.
Correspondents say there is also a growing ethnic tone to the violence.
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. President Pervez 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. Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the unrest, but it denied the claim.
Karachi police chief Azhar Farooqi described the situation in the city as "very tense". Executed
Early on Sunday, 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 Familiar theme to violence Lawless streetsIf you really feel sorry over what has happened in Karachi, then stop these protests President Pervez Musharraf Familiar theme to violence 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. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government authorised paramilitary troops on Sunday to shoot anyone involved in serious violence, Reuters quoted Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah as saying.
The BBC's Shoaib Hassan, in Karachi, says three of those killed on Sunday were kidnapped, then executed. One of them was an MQM worker.
Another man was killed in a gun battle between the MQM and the ANP - an opposition party drawing heavily from the ethnic Pashtun community - our correspondent says.
In at least three incidents, Pashtun businesses and shops were targeted, allegedly by the MQM, according to the owners.
The situation on Karachi's streets is said to be "tense"
Meanwhile, in a Pathan dominated area in north Karachi, locals attacked vehicles or people dressed in the urban style of the Mohajirs who dominate the MQM.
Opposition groups have called a strike for Monday, against what they describe as the MQM's "terrorist tactics", our correspondent adds.
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 calmAppeal 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 Karachi 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 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
Karachi later turned into a battleground as supporters and opponents of President Pervez Musharraf exchanged gunfire on the streets.Karachi later turned into a battleground as supporters and opponents of 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.
Speaking at a mass rally in Islamabad on Saturday night, Gen 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, Gen 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
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" Tension building
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.