Death Toll In Karachi Violence Rises
August 2, 2011 by UPI - United Press International, Inc.
KARACHI, Pakistan, Aug. 2 (UPI) — Dozens more people died in Pakistan’s port city of Karachi in the latest wave of ethnic and political violence that began late last month, authorities said.
The violence resumed as Muslims began observing Ramadan, the holy month-long fasting period.
Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported at least 23 people were shot and killed Monday, several others wounded and several vehicles and shops burned in attacks in different parts of the country’s financial capital and its largest city with a population of 18 million.
The Pakistan Express Tribune reported at least 34 people have died in the past 24 hours.
The violence has largely involved members and supporters of the Urdu-speaking Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the ANP representing ethnic Pashtuns, with both sides blaming the other for the killings.
Dawn reported more than 300 people in the city have died in the violence since last month.
Federal authorities have ruled out any military-style operation to bring peace in Karachi, saying local police and the paramilitary Rangers would work together to restore order.
Federal Minister for Law Bakhsh Chandio told Pakistan Television that instead of criticizing the government, all political parties in the city must work together to restore peace, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan said.
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