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Pakistan city shut down by strike Pakistan city shut down by strike
(about 3 hours later)
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.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.
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.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.
Authorities have now banned gatherings of more than five people in the city.Authorities have now banned gatherings of more than five people in the city.
Correspondents say the weekend's violence marked a serious escalation of a crisis that began in March.Correspondents say the weekend's violence marked a serious escalation of a crisis that began in March.
The city is totally paralysed Azhar FarooqiKarachi police chief Timeline: Legal crisis Familiar theme to violence href="/1/hi/puffbox/promo/regular/6653661.inc">Press anger at 'carnage' The city is totally paralysed Azhar FarooqiKarachi police chief Timeline: Legal crisis Familiar theme to violence href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/6653421.stm">Press anger at 'carnage'
In those two months, suspended chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule.In those two months, suspended chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has become a focus for protesters trying to end military rule.
Karachi city police chief Azhar Farooqi told news agency Reuters that there had been no violence on Monday, although the city was very tense.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."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.
Meanwhile, provincial authorities have banned all political rallies as security forces tried to restore order.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.
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 ordersShoot 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.
A number of people were injured in clashesA number of people were injured in clashes
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.
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.
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.
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.
HAVE YOUR SAY I regard the rallies in Pakistan as battle for democracy Metin, Ankara Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I regard the rallies in Pakistan as battle for democracy Metin, Ankara Send us your comments
Since his suspension on charges of "misuse of authority", Mr Chaudhry has become the focus of widespread opposition to the government of Gen 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 Gen 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.
Mr Chaudhry was suspended from his post in MarchMr Chaudhry was suspended from his post in March
His supporters say that Gen Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate.His supporters say that Gen Musharraf wants the judiciary headed by a lawyer whom he can more easily manipulate.
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.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.
Justice Falak Sher raised objections over the constitution of the bench saying several judges were his junior.Justice Falak Sher raised objections over the constitution of the bench saying several judges were his junior.
The bench will be reconstituted later.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.Also in Islamabad, an official of the Supreme Court was shot dead, but police say he was killed by robbers in an unrelated incident.