Troops deployed in tense Karachi

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The authorities in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi have deployed paramilitary troops following several days of deadly clashes.

The administration has also enforced a ban on public gatherings in the hope of controlling violence which has claimed at least 20 lives since the weekend.

The clashes have taken place mainly between activists of the MQM and ANP, both part of the ruling coalition.

The interior minister has now arrived in Karachi in a bid to defuse tensions.

The latest killings appear to be the result of targeted attacks by gunmen loyal to rival political groups.

In Karachi's Orangi town, both Pahstun activists working for the Awami National Party (ANP) and Urdu-speaking workers loyal to the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) party have set up road blocks.

MQM members are mostly the descendants of Muslim migrants to Pakistan during the partition of India.

The ANP's main area of influence is in the Pashtun dominated areas of the North-West Frontier Province but it also has good support in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab provinces.

'Resolved amicably'

"We have engaged with both parties in a productive dialogue," Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters in Karachi.

Karachi has seen much violence recently

"There have been a lot of misunderstandings, which are being exploited by vested interests.

"We are hopeful everything will be resolved amicably," he said.

This is the second time in four weeks that clashes have broken out in Pakistan's largest city.

On each occasion the MQM has either clashed with the ANP or with members of Mr Malik's Pakistan People's Party, which is the main constituent of the central government.

The first round started with the murder of an MQM activist in the volatile Lyari neighborhood.

That led to series of targeted killings, allegedly by MQM activists, in retaliation.

The situation then snowballed, with tit-for-tat killings and clashes taking place all over the city.

Some reports say armed bands of men are now digging in for a major confrontation.

However, both sides deny this and now say that things are "under control".

Local analysts point out that the trouble has been exacerbated because elements of Karachi's notorious land and drug mafia have penetrated political parties.