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Pakistan judge in 'tense' Karachi Pakistan judge in 'tense' Karachi
(10 minutes later)
Pakistan's top judge, suspended from his job by President Pervez Musharraf, has arrived in violence-hit Karachi for an anti-government rally.Pakistan's top judge, suspended from his job by President Pervez Musharraf, has arrived in violence-hit Karachi for an anti-government rally.
Three people were shot dead ahead of the rally, which Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry plans to address. Eight people died in clashes ahead of the rally, which Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry plans to address.
Gunfire has been reported and vehicles set on fire as 15,000 troops patrolled the city, where many streets have been blocked off. Rival political activists exchanged gunfire, and vehicles were set on fire as 15,000 troops patrolled the city, with many streets blocked off.
Mr Chaudhry was suspended in March, but he denies any abuse of power.Mr Chaudhry was suspended in March, but he denies any abuse of power.
Since his suspension, Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of President Musharraf, who took power in a coup in 1999.Since his suspension, Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of President Musharraf, who took power in a coup in 1999.
Mr Chaudhry's supporters say that President Musharraf wants the judciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate. Mr Chaudhry's supporters say that President Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate.
Karachi has been divided into three security zones for the day, and 17 areas have been designated high-risk zones, says the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan.Karachi has been divided into three security zones for the day, and 17 areas have been designated high-risk zones, says the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan.
A public holiday has been declared, and the city roads are largely deserted. A large number of streets have been blocked with lorries and water tankers.A public holiday has been declared, and the city roads are largely deserted. A large number of streets have been blocked with lorries and water tankers.
The situation in the city is "extremely serious", one security official told the AFP news agency.
One exchange of fire went on for half-an-hour between supporters of the pro-Musharraf Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and activists from the Pakistan People's Party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
Rival protestRival protest
The situation in the city is "extremely serious", one security official told the AFP news agency.
One exchange of fire went on for half-an-hour between supporters of the pro-Musharraf Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and activists from the Pakistan People's Party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto near the airport, with several deaths reported.
At least 25 people have been injured.
Overnight, two men from the party of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were shot dead at a roadside cafe.Overnight, two men from the party of exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were shot dead at a roadside cafe.
Mr Chaudhry was suspended from his post in MarchMr Chaudhry was suspended from his post in March
Later a third political activist, belonging to the religious opposition party Sunni Tehrik, was killed while he was putting up posters and banners. All three were killed by unidentified gunmen on motorcycles. Later another political activist, belonging to the religious opposition party Sunni Tehrik, was killed while he was putting up posters and banners. All three were killed by unidentified gunmen on motorcycles.
Mr Chaudhry has now landed at Karachi, but he is refusing to leave the airport until local lawyers are allowed to meet him.Mr Chaudhry has now landed at Karachi, but he is refusing to leave the airport until local lawyers are allowed to meet him.
One plan is for him to travel to the city centre by helicopter, but Mr Chaudhry is insisting that he should be able to travel by road.
Our correspondent says the lawyers in Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, plan a massive reception for him.Our correspondent says the lawyers in Karachi, the capital of Sindh province, plan a massive reception for him.
Opposition political parties - including the six-party MMA Islamic alliance and the country's largest party, the Pakistan People's Party - are also expected to participate.Opposition political parties - including the six-party MMA Islamic alliance and the country's largest party, the Pakistan People's Party - are also expected to participate.
The ruling party in Sindh, the MQM, has said it will hold rival demonstrations in support of President Musharraf's government.The ruling party in Sindh, the MQM, has said it will hold rival demonstrations in support of President Musharraf's government.
Mr Musharraf himself is due to address a rally in Islamabad later in the day.Mr Musharraf himself is due to address a rally in Islamabad later in the day.
There is a large military presence at Karachi airportThere is a large military presence at Karachi airport
A lawyers' spokesman told the BBC that bar association members have been attacked by MQM activists in various parts of the city.A lawyers' spokesman told the BBC that bar association members have been attacked by MQM activists in various parts of the city.
"Our colleagues have been brutally attacked while the government has given the MQM a free hand," he said."Our colleagues have been brutally attacked while the government has given the MQM a free hand," he said.
"This is the end of rule of law in the country.""This is the end of rule of law in the country."
The Sindh High Court was surrounded by hundreds of MQM political activists.The Sindh High Court was surrounded by hundreds of MQM political activists.
The lawyers say that activists attacked them and prevented them from entering the high court premises where Mr. Chaudhry is to give his address later on Saturday.The lawyers say that activists attacked them and prevented them from entering the high court premises where Mr. Chaudhry is to give his address later on Saturday.