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Strike call over Karachi deaths Pakistan city shut down by strike
(10 minutes later)
Supporters of Pakistan's suspended top judge have called a nationwide strike after 41 people died in political violence over the weekend. A strike in the Pakistani city of Karachi has closed shops and cleared transport from the roads after two days of violence left 41 people dead.
Authorities have banned gatherings of more than five people in Karachi where rival rallies triggered the worst street battles in recent years. The strike was called amid some of the worst street battles in recent years, triggered by the suspension of a top judge by President Pervez Musharraf.
President Pervez Musharraf suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in March alleging misuse of office. Authorities have now banned gatherings of more than five people in the city.
He has since become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule. Correspondents say the weekend's violence marked a serious escalation of a crisis that began in March.
The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says the weekend violence has marked a serious escalation in a crisis that began two months ago. In those two months, suspended chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule.
Rallies banned 'Scared'
Karachi city police chief Azhar Farooqi told news agency Reuters that there had been no violence on Monday, although the city was very tense.
"The city is totally paralysed. Shops are closed and very little public transport is on the roads. People are scared," Mr Farooqi told the agency.
Opposition parties have called for a national strike and a day of mourning to protest against the bloodshed.Opposition parties have called for a national strike and a day of mourning to protest against the bloodshed.
In Karachi, provincial authorities banned all political rallies as security forces tried to restore order. A number of people were injured in clashes
Meanwhile, provincial authorities have banned all political rallies as security forces tried to restore order.
"We have banned the assembly of more than five people in any public place in Karachi for Monday," Sindh province interior secretary Brigadier Ghulam Muhammad Muhtaram told news agency AFP."We have banned the assembly of more than five people in any public place in Karachi for Monday," Sindh province interior secretary Brigadier Ghulam Muhammad Muhtaram told news agency AFP.
The authorities failed to bring calm to Karachi, the capital of Sindh, on Sunday.The authorities failed to bring calm to Karachi, the capital of Sindh, on Sunday.
A number of people were injured in clashes
Troops were deployed across the city, but gunfire was heard in several areas, shops and vehicles were set alight and police were pelted with stonesTroops were deployed across the city, but gunfire was heard in several areas, shops and vehicles were set alight and police were pelted with stones
Shoot orders
Funeral processions were accompanied by gun battles and arson.Funeral processions were accompanied by gun battles and arson.
The fighting on Saturday was between supporters of the government and supporters of the Chief Justice but by Sunday it had begun to turn into clashes between traditional ethnic rivals. The fighting on Saturday was between supporters of the government and supporters of the chief justice but by Sunday it had begun to turn into clashes between traditional ethnic rivals.
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
Early on Sunday, Karachi police chief Azhar Farooqi described the situation in the city as "very tense".
Pakistan's government on Sunday authorised paramilitary troops to shoot anyone involved in serious violence.Pakistan's government on Sunday authorised paramilitary troops to shoot anyone involved in serious violence.
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.
Mr Chaudhry was suspended from his post in MarchMr Chaudhry was suspended from his post in March
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.
Mr Chaudhry abandoned plans to address a rally in Karachi on Saturday, finding his way into the city blocked.
Karachi later turned into a battleground as supporters and opponents of President Pervez Musharraf exchanged gunfire on the streets.
Tension building
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.
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.
Correspondents say opposition parties have turned Mr Chaudhry's case into a campaign against military rule.Correspondents say 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.
Tension had been building ahead of the judge's visit when the local authorities announced plans for a counter rally. Meanwhile, a hearing into a petition by the chief justice challenging his dismissal has been halted in the Supreme Court in Islamabad after one of the 14 judges on the bench refused to hear the case.
But the scale of the confrontation took people by surprise. Justice Falak Sher raised objections over the constitution of the bench saying several judges were his junior.
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. The bench will be reconstituted later.
Also in Islamabad, an official of the Supreme Court was shot dead, but police say he was killed by robbers in an unrelated incident.