Gunmen to be 'shot on sight' in Karachi
Source: Agencies |
July 9, 2011, Saturday
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SECURITY forces were ordered to shoot gunmen on sight yesterday in Pakistan's largest city, as four days of violence left at least 71 people dead and prompted political leaders to call for a day of mourning that shut businesses and kept public traffic off the roads.
This week's violence in Karachi was among the worst this year for a city that has long been a hotbed of ethnic, sectarian and political tensions. At least 34 people died on Thursday alone, when gunmen strafed buses and went on shooting sprees in neighborhoods.
The order to shoot suspects on sight reflected the authorities' desperation to bring the violence under control.
Sharjeel Memon, the Sindh province information minister, said the order was aimed at "any armed miscreant" encountered by police and security troops expected to be deployed in the city.
Relatives wept over the bodies of loved ones in morgues and hospitals yesterday.
"People are stuck at home, their food and other rations are running out," Karachi resident Mohammad Shahid said. "Where is the government? Where are the police?"
Many of the killings appeared linked to political and ethnic turf battles, said Saood Mirza, the Karachi police chief. Some of Karachi's leading political parties are formed along ethnic lines.
The city's most powerful political party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, called for a "day of mourning" yesterday. That prompted shutdowns across much of the city, with roads and commercial areas largely deserted. Occasional gunfire could still be heard.
The federal Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, a member of the ruling People's Party, said the death toll may be as high as 85.
This week's violence in Karachi was among the worst this year for a city that has long been a hotbed of ethnic, sectarian and political tensions. At least 34 people died on Thursday alone, when gunmen strafed buses and went on shooting sprees in neighborhoods.
The order to shoot suspects on sight reflected the authorities' desperation to bring the violence under control.
Sharjeel Memon, the Sindh province information minister, said the order was aimed at "any armed miscreant" encountered by police and security troops expected to be deployed in the city.
Relatives wept over the bodies of loved ones in morgues and hospitals yesterday.
"People are stuck at home, their food and other rations are running out," Karachi resident Mohammad Shahid said. "Where is the government? Where are the police?"
Many of the killings appeared linked to political and ethnic turf battles, said Saood Mirza, the Karachi police chief. Some of Karachi's leading political parties are formed along ethnic lines.
The city's most powerful political party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, called for a "day of mourning" yesterday. That prompted shutdowns across much of the city, with roads and commercial areas largely deserted. Occasional gunfire could still be heard.
The federal Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, a member of the ruling People's Party, said the death toll may be as high as 85.
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