80 dead as Karachi hit by wave of political and ethnic violence
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Pastor Dale Morgan
Oct 21, 2010, 4:58:03 PM10/21/10
to Bible-Pro...@googlegroups.com
Perilous Times
80 dead as Karachi hit by wave of political and ethnic violence
Police and paramilitary patrols were stepped up in Pakistan's largest city Karachi on Thursday after the death toll from a wave of political and ethnic violence reached at least 80.
By Rob Crilly in Karachi
Published: 5:20PM BST 21 Oct 2010
Karachi hit by wave of political and ethnic violence
The bloodshed has sent shock waves through Pakistan's economic capital, a sprawling megacity which is home to an estimated 18 million people Photo: AFP/GETTY
More than 100 people have so far been detained after a series of killings that followed a local by-election on Sunday.
"Two more people were killed in shooting incidents overnight," said Fayyaz Leghari, the chief of police for Karachi. "Extra police and Rangers have been deployed in sensitive areas of the city to prevent further untoward incidents."
City streets were clogged yesterday as residents returned to work after a day of mourning was declared on Wednesday.
The bloodshed has sent shock waves through Pakistan's economic capital, a sprawling megacity which is home to an estimated 18 million people.
The southern port city is also a crucial link in the supply chain bringing food, fuel and equipment to Nato-led forces fighting in Afghanistan.
However, its strategic importance rests on a fragile history.
Karachi has experienced periodic outbreaks of violence for two decades, pitting members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which represents the Urdu-speaking majority in Karachi, against the Awami National Party (ANP), whose power base is rooted in Pashtun migrants from the north-west. The two groups blame each other over the violence.
In one of the worst incidents, 12 people were gunned down at a spare parts market in the south of the city on Tuesday. Witnesses said the gunmen arrived on motorbikes and singled out Urdu speakers.
The vast city is home to criminal networks, which complicate the ethnic and political tensions.
"There's a land mafia, drug mafia – all of them above the law and protected by political parties," said Nasreen Jalil, a former MQM senator. "This could all be ended very fast but there isn't the political will."
Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Pakistan prime minister, has expressed confidence that political leaders can exert control, saying no decision had been taken to send the army to Karachi.
80 dead as Karachi hit by wave of political and ethnic violence
Police and paramilitary patrols were stepped up in Pakistan's largest city Karachi on Thursday after the death toll from a wave of political and ethnic violence reached at least 80.
By Rob Crilly in Karachi
Published: 5:20PM BST 21 Oct 2010
Karachi hit by wave of political and ethnic violence
The bloodshed has sent shock waves through Pakistan's economic capital, a sprawling megacity which is home to an estimated 18 million people Photo: AFP/GETTY
More than 100 people have so far been detained after a series of killings that followed a local by-election on Sunday.
"Two more people were killed in shooting incidents overnight," said Fayyaz Leghari, the chief of police for Karachi. "Extra police and Rangers have been deployed in sensitive areas of the city to prevent further untoward incidents."
City streets were clogged yesterday as residents returned to work after a day of mourning was declared on Wednesday.
The bloodshed has sent shock waves through Pakistan's economic capital, a sprawling megacity which is home to an estimated 18 million people.
The southern port city is also a crucial link in the supply chain bringing food, fuel and equipment to Nato-led forces fighting in Afghanistan.
However, its strategic importance rests on a fragile history.
Karachi has experienced periodic outbreaks of violence for two decades, pitting members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which represents the Urdu-speaking majority in Karachi, against the Awami National Party (ANP), whose power base is rooted in Pashtun migrants from the north-west. The two groups blame each other over the violence.
In one of the worst incidents, 12 people were gunned down at a spare parts market in the south of the city on Tuesday. Witnesses said the gunmen arrived on motorbikes and singled out Urdu speakers.
The vast city is home to criminal networks, which complicate the ethnic and political tensions.
"There's a land mafia, drug mafia – all of them above the law and protected by political parties," said Nasreen Jalil, a former MQM senator. "This could all be ended very fast but there isn't the political will."
Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Pakistan prime minister, has expressed confidence that political leaders can exert control, saying no decision had been taken to send the army to Karachi.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages