This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/6650897.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Fresh clashes on Karachi streets | Fresh clashes on Karachi streets |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Seven people have been killed in Karachi in fresh clashes one day after major political violence hit Pakistan. | Seven people have been killed in Karachi in fresh clashes one day after major political violence hit Pakistan. |
| Troops were deployed across the city, but gunfire was heard in several areas, shops and vehicles were set alight and police were pelted with stones. | Troops were deployed across the city, but gunfire was heard in several areas, shops and vehicles were set alight and police were pelted with stones. |
| Correspondents say there is also a growing ethnic tone to the violence. | 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. |
| 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 Pervez 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. | Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the unrest, but it denied the claim. |
| Executed | Executed |
| Early on Sunday, Karachi police chief Azhar Farooqi described the situation in the city as "very tense". | 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 streets | If you really feel sorry over what has happened in Karachi, then stop these protests President Pervez Musharraf Familiar theme to violence Lawless streets |
| Pakistan's government on Sunday authorised paramilitary troops to shoot anyone involved in serious violence, Reuters quoted Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah as saying. | Pakistan's government on Sunday authorised paramilitary troops to shoot anyone involved in serious violence, Reuters quoted Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah as saying. |
| And the provincial government in Sindh province banned political gatherings, imposing a so-called Section 144 order in an effort to restore order. | And the provincial government in Sindh province banned political gatherings, imposing a so-called Section 144 order in an effort to restore order. |
| The BBC's Shoaib Hassan, in Karachi, says five of those killed on Sunday were kidnapped, then executed. One of them was an MQM worker. | |
| Another two people were tortured and then shot in the head, our correspondent says. | |
| In at least three incidents, Pashtun businesses and shops were targeted, allegedly by the MQM, according to the owners. | 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" | The situation on Karachi's streets is said to be "tense" |
| Meanwhile, in a Pashtun-dominated area in north Karachi, locals attacked vehicles or people dressed in the urban style of the Mohajirs who dominate the MQM. | Meanwhile, in a Pashtun-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. | 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 39 dead and about 150 wounded, many from gunshots, the Associated Press reported. | Meanwhile, the casualty toll from Saturday's violence rose overnight to 39 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 Karachi 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 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 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Tension building | 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. |