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Tight security in Pakistan city 'Order now restored' in Karachi
(about 15 hours later)
Tight security is in place in the Pakistani city of Karachi after three days of unrest sparked by a campaign for the reinstatement of a top judge. Tight security has restored order to the Pakistani city of Karachi after three days of unrest, officials say.
Political rallies have been banned and troops have been ordered to shoot troublemakers on sight. Police say that a sense of normalcy has returned to the city, after violence between pro and anti-government supporters left 41 people dead.
The Pakistani Supreme Court is due to meet to consider the suspension of chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has met to consider the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
It is hearing 20 petitions challenging the move, all arguing it was unlawful. Mr Chaudhry was absent from the court.
But his lawyer Aitsaz Ahsan said that his client had been "pressured" to step down after being held "against his will" for several hours in President Musharraf's Rawalpindi offices.
Mr Ahsan said that a judicial complaints panel assembled on 9 March to consider the suspension had "no authority" because it never considered the judge's point of view.
Government lawyers say that they will prove the petitions against Mr Chaudhry's suspension are "flawed" when the court re-convenes on Wednesday.
Virtual standstill
At least 40 people were killed in the weekend's clashes, in an escalation of the crisis that began in March.At least 40 people were killed in the weekend's clashes, in an escalation of the crisis that began in March.
In those two months, the suspended chief justice has become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule.In those two months, the suspended chief justice has become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule.
Violence broke out at the weekend between supporters of Mr Chaudhry and supporters of the government, although by Sunday it had begun to turn into clashes between traditional ethnic rivals. On Monday, strikes called in protest brought Karachi and other cities to a virtual standstill. Violence broke out at the weekend between supporters of Mr Chaudhry and supporters of the government, although by Sunday it had begun to turn into clashes between traditional ethnic rivals.
'Creating turmoil' On Monday, strikes called in protest brought Karachi and other cities to a virtual standstill.
Mr Chaudhry's suspension was ordered by President Pervez Musharraf - who accuses the judge of misuse of office.Mr Chaudhry's suspension was ordered by President Pervez Musharraf - who accuses the judge of misuse of office.
HAVE YOUR SAY I regard the rallies in Pakistan as battle for democracy Metin, Ankara Send us your comments Critics say the president wants to remove a man who could have blocked his plans to change the rules on re-election. HAVE YOUR SAY I regard the rallies in Pakistan as battle for democracy Metin, Ankara Send us your comments
Critics say the president wants to remove a man who could have blocked his plans to change the rules on re-election.
Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of Gen Musharraf, who took power in a coup in 1999.Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of Gen Musharraf, who took power in a coup in 1999.
Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the weekend's unrest, but it denied the claim.Opposition groups blamed the pro-Musharraf MQM party of organising the weekend's unrest, but it denied the claim.