Violence flares in Pakistan

‘Streets of terror’

The judge later abandoned plans to address supporters in view of the violence in Karachi. 

Speaking earlier in the day, Musharraf did not mention the Karachi violence, but ruled out declaring a state of emergency,

Musharraf said: “There is absolutely no requirement and absolutely no environment for taking such drastic measure.”

Travel chaos

Roadblocks set up in Karachi on Saturday to disrupt Chaudhry’s planned rally caused travel chaos.

Opposition activists accused a pro-government party, the Mutahida Qami Movement (MQM), of attacking them with batons and gunfire as they attempted to greet the judge at the airport.

Chaudhry had earlier declined an offer from authorities to travel to the site of the planned rally in the centre by helicopter and so was stranded at the airport, as were hundreds of passengers from earlier flights.

Police and paramilitary troops began using cranes and bulldozers to clear the way, but it was unclear when the way could be opened.

Rival rallies

Critics say Musharraf is sidelining the judge to head off legal challenges to his plan to seek a new five-year presidential term later this year.

The government maintains the move was not politically motivated and that Chaudhry had abused his office.

Two months of anti-Musharraf rallies across the country by opposition parties and lawyers have been gathering momentum and pro-government parties have now decided to respond with their own show of strength.

The authorities in Karachi said they have deployed 15,000 security force members in the city to maintain law and order.

But these efforts appeared to have failed as rival groups exchanged gunfire and a policeman and three opposition supporters were killed.

Activists shot

Groups also set fire to a police post, four buses, a dozen cars and 10 motorcycles.
 

Opposition demonstrations have been growing in the past two months [AFP]

“One policeman was killed in a clash in the Korangi area of the city and at least 20 people have been wounded in other clashes between pro-Musharraf and supporters of the chief justice,” a security official said.

Unidentified gunmen shot dead Asghar Ali, 35, and Jahan Zeb, 25, activists from the opposition party of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and wounded another, Azhar Faruqi, the city police chief, said.

All three were involved in making arrangements for Chaudhry’s arrival in Karachi.

Also on Saturday, unidentified gunmen shot dead Suhail Qadri, 40, an activist from the Sunni Tehrik religious party that has a long running rivalry with the MQM.

Witnesses said that shipping containers, trucks and oil tankers had been parked on key roads in Karachi overnight, including those leading to the Karachi International Airport.

Pakistan International Airlines said on Saturday all domestic and international flights from Karachi were delayed because cabin crews could not reach the airport because of the roadblocks.