KARACHI/ISLAMABAD, 13 May 2007 — Violence erupted ahead of planned rival rallies and fierce gunbattles between rival political activists left 31 people dead and 100 wounded yesterday in the worst violence since President Pervez Musharraf suspended Pakistan’s top judge two months ago. Most of the victims were opposition party workers headed for a rally in the volatile southern city of Karachi in support of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who was held up at the airport by roadblocks.
The incidents of exchange of firing among the activists of rival parties were reported from Shahra-e-Faisal near Drig Road, Kala Board, Banaras, Malir, PIA Colony and SITE area. The firing was also reported at Baloch Colony and Guru Mandir. Chaudhry, increasingly a symbol of defiance for those opposed to Musharraf’s eight-year military rule, later abandoned his plans to give a speech and flew back to the capital Islamabad.
Musharraf vowed yesterday to defeat anyone politicizing his suspension of Chaudhry as he addressed a rally.
Speaking to thousands of ruling party activists in Islamabad, Musharraf said he was outraged by clashes in Karachi. “Do not challenge us. We are not cowards like you, we have the power of the people,” said Musharraf, who was standing behind a bulletproof screen and wearing traditional Pakistani dress. “My heart was bleeding when I saw on television what was happening in Karachi. I strongly condemn this violence,” Musharraf said. “The government from the beginning had asked the chief justice not to go there (Karachi) but some elements with him wanted to gain political mileage and forced him to go,” he said.
“Despite warnings they went over and this is the reason we suffered losses (of life)” Musharraf said. “I appealed to the lawyers not to let a judicial issue be politicized, do not give it a political color.”
Meanwhile, black smoke billowed over the volatile commercial hub Karachi as mobs armed with assault rifles and shotguns fought pitched battles in the streets, opened fire on a private television studio and torched dozens of buses and cars.
“At least 31 people died and more than 100 were injured in the violence,” Sindh province Interior Minister Waseem Akhtar said. Akhtar added that at least six activists of Muttaheda Qaumi Movement (MQM) party were killed.
“The chief justice is responsible for these deaths, no one else is responsible, no political party is responsible,” added Akhtar, a minister for the pro-Musharraf MQM.
A senior security official said most of the dead were from the Pakistan People’s Party of exiled former Premier Benazir Bhutto. Other officials said a policeman and a paramedic were among the victims.
The president, a key US ally, dismissed Chaudhry on March 9 over allegations that he had abused his power.
Opponents say army chief Musharraf acted unconstitutionally in a bid to neuter the judiciary and make it easier to be re-elected as president by the current Parliament before his five-year term runs out in November.
— With input from agencies
