12 May - KARACHI Rallies & Bloodshed (merged)

Lusi · May 12, 2007, 9:30pm

Re: 12 May - MQM Rally for Independence of Judiciary.

Yup very peaceful…

30 killed in Pakistan political clashes KARACHI, May 12 (AFP) - At least 30 people were killed and more than 100 injured Saturday in clashes between rival political groups in Karachi, a senior security source told AFP. Most of the victims were members of opposition parties who were rallying in support of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who was suspended on March 9 by President Pervez Musharraf. “There are 27 people dead in the violence. The number could go up. The majority of those killed are workers of opposition parties, mainly the Pakistan People’s Party,” the official said on condition of anonymity. (Posted @ 20:04 PST)

23 killed in Karachi gunbattles as chief justice arrives for rally KARACHI, Pakistan, May 12 (AP/Agencies) - Gunbattles and attacks killed at least 18 (23 according to latest reports) people and wounded dozens Saturday as Pakistan’s political crisis descended into violence Meanwhile, Musharraf on Saturday ruled out declaring a state of emergency, as the turmoil sparked by his March 9 suspension entered a new deadly phase. In comments reported by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan news agency, Musharraf urged the nation to stand united and remain peaceful. Officials contacted at three hospitals in Karachi reported at least 18 people had died in the violence and 55 were wounded. Police reported more than 70 wounded, many from gunfire. At least 20 vehicles reportedly set on fire. Another report said chief justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry declined an offer from authorities to travel to the venue of a planned downtown rally by helicopter and so was stranded at the airport _ as were hundreds of passengers from earlier flights. “The chief justice will only go to the city by road,” said Aitzaz Ahsan, an attorney for Chaudhry. (Posted @ 17:08 PST)

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