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Karachi city violence continues Karachi city violence continues
(31 minutes later)
Violence in the Pakistani city of Karachi is continuing despite appeals for calm by the main parties.Violence in the Pakistani city of Karachi is continuing despite appeals for calm by the main parties.
At least 24 people have been killed in attacks by unidentified gunmen in the city since Saturday, a government spokesman said.At least 24 people have been killed in attacks by unidentified gunmen in the city since Saturday, a government spokesman said.
But hospital authorities said the death toll was more than 35.But hospital authorities said the death toll was more than 35.
Violence erupted after months of tension between the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM).Violence erupted after months of tension between the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM).
The ANP mostly represents Pashtun migrants from the north-west and from Afghanistan, while the MQM represents Urdu-speaking people.The ANP mostly represents Pashtun migrants from the north-west and from Afghanistan, while the MQM represents Urdu-speaking people.
Arson attacksArson attacks
Gunmen riding in cars or on motorbikes have been indiscriminately targeting motorists and pedestrians in different localities, but not going after any specific group, police and witnesses say.Gunmen riding in cars or on motorbikes have been indiscriminately targeting motorists and pedestrians in different localities, but not going after any specific group, police and witnesses say.
In some areas, there have been arson attacks in which houses and businesses belonging to rival communities have been targeted.In some areas, there have been arson attacks in which houses and businesses belonging to rival communities have been targeted.
Karachi, a city of over 15 million, is dominated by the Urdu-speaking people who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947.Karachi, a city of over 15 million, is dominated by the Urdu-speaking people who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947.
Many parts of the city remain deserted except for the security forcesMany parts of the city remain deserted except for the security forces
It also has a sizeable Pashtun population, which has grown further since last year when tens of thousands of Pashtuns displaced by the military operation in the country's north-western tribal areas ended up in Karachi.It also has a sizeable Pashtun population, which has grown further since last year when tens of thousands of Pashtuns displaced by the military operation in the country's north-western tribal areas ended up in Karachi.
The MQM leadership has been publicly airing fears of Taleban infiltration of the growing community.The MQM leadership has been publicly airing fears of Taleban infiltration of the growing community.
The Taleban in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan are predominantly Pashtun.The Taleban in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan are predominantly Pashtun.
The ANP has criticised the MQM statements, terming them a conspiracy against Karachi's Pashtuns.The ANP has criticised the MQM statements, terming them a conspiracy against Karachi's Pashtuns.
Over the last couple of weeks, dozens of tea stalls and timber shops owned by Pashtuns in MQM-dominated areas were forced to close down by activists believed to be MQM workers, police sources said.Over the last couple of weeks, dozens of tea stalls and timber shops owned by Pashtuns in MQM-dominated areas were forced to close down by activists believed to be MQM workers, police sources said.
Shut-downShut-down
Attacks in different areas on public transport vehicles, mostly owned by Pashtuns, also added to the communal tension, they said.Attacks in different areas on public transport vehicles, mostly owned by Pashtuns, also added to the communal tension, they said.
The violence began on Saturday following the killing of a Pashtun tea-stall owner in an MQM-dominated neighbourhood in the north of the city, the police said.The violence began on Saturday following the killing of a Pashtun tea-stall owner in an MQM-dominated neighbourhood in the north of the city, the police said.
The Pashtuns, mostly ANP supporters, shut down most of the overland entry and exit points to Karachi, which they control.The Pashtuns, mostly ANP supporters, shut down most of the overland entry and exit points to Karachi, which they control.
The three main parties - the MQM, the ANP and the Pakistan People's Party of President Asif Ali Zardari - all joined together in a bid to reduce tension.The three main parties - the MQM, the ANP and the Pakistan People's Party of President Asif Ali Zardari - all joined together in a bid to reduce tension.
But their call has largely gone unheeded, officials and witnesses said.But their call has largely gone unheeded, officials and witnesses said.