PAKISTAN: Suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry visits Karachi as political violence causes the deaths of at least 10 people

Record ID: 215741

  • Title: PAKISTAN: Suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry visits Karachi as political violence causes the deaths of at least 10 people
  • Date: 12th May 2007
  • Summary: (W2) KARACHI, PAKISTAN (MAY 12, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PRO-GOVERNMENT MUTTAHEDA QAUMI MOVEMENT (MQM) ACTIVISTS WAVING FLAG FROM ON TOP OF BUSES BLOCKING ROAD (3 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 27th May 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Pakistan
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAANHT41TBE6LJKYWDJ4MFIMT2Q
  • Story Text: At least 10 people have been killed during violent demonstrations across Pakistan as Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry visits Karachi.
    Supporters of Pakistan's suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry threw rose petals and shouted slogans as he arrived at Islamabad airport for a flight to Karachi on Saturday (May 12).
    "We hope that no obstructions will be caused on the way; no situation will be created," Chaudhry's lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan told reporters.
    Chaudhry's visit to Karachi to meet his supporters there has unleashed battles between rival Pakistani political activists during which at least 10 people died, an official and the opposition said.
    Security was tight at the airport in Karachi when Pakistan's suspended chief justice arrived there.
    The government's suspension of Chaudhry on March 9 has outraged the judiciary and the opposition and has blown up into the most serious challenge to President Pervez Musharraf's authority since he seized power in 1999.
    Chaudhry denies wrongdoing and has refused to resign.
    Many roads including the one into the city from the airport were blocked by trucks, buses and containers in an apparent bid to disrupt Chaudhry's visit. Security officials said Chaudhry was in the airport VIP lounge, while he waited for roads to clear.
    Police said they did not know who had blocked Karachi's roads but a government official, who declined to be identified, said authorities had done so to maintain order.
    Opposition leaders said the city was under siege by supporters of the pro-government Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the party that runs Pakistan's biggest city. It was holding a demonstration against Chaudhry and what it calls the political tricks of his supporters.
    Outside Karachi airport and in other parts of the city activists from the MQM clashed with rivals from the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal, an opposition alliance of six religious parties that supports Chaudhry, and the PPP.
    Heavy gunfire was heard and smoke rose from dozens of burning vehicles.
    Interior Ministry spokesman retired Brigadier Javed Iqbal Cheema said eight people were killed in clashes and 24 wounded. Earlier, an opposition party spokesman said two activists were shot dead in an attack on an office.
    The crisis has erupted in the run-up to a general election and an anticipated attempt by Musharraf, an important U.S. ally, to secure another term.
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