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| Strike cripples life across Pakistan | | |
KARACHI, MAY 14 A general strike called by Pakistan's opposition parties to protest against the killings in Karachi brought cities across the country to a standstill.
Shops and educational institution were closed and traffic was thin on the roads of Karachi, where more than 40 people have been killed in clashes between supporters of President Pervez Musharraf and those of suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar M Chaudhry since Saturday.
Authorities in Karachi declared a public holiday today to mourn the dead and cancelled all examinations. The paramilitary rangers were given orders to shoot those trying to create lawlessness.
Earlier Protesters fired in the air, blocked roads and burnt tyres overnight. No casualties were reported but police found a bullet-riddled body in a sack.
Media reports said that authorities intended to expel some opposition leaders from the city.
The strike call also received positive response in other major cities including Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.
In Lahore, thousands of people chanted "Go Musharraf Go!" and "Death to Altaf Hussain", the leader of the pro-government MQM blamed for much of the Karachi violence. They also burned effigies of Musharraf.
Seven persons were killed in violence in Karachi yesterday taking the toll to 43. Over 150 persons were injured in the firing and arson by rival political parties in the city since Saturday.
In view of the strike, the provincial Sindh government banned gathering of more than five people in Karachi.
Witnesses said small restaurants, which usually remain open on strikes, were also close.
Lawyers from all over the country also boycotted courts in protest against obstructing Chaudhry from going out of the Karachi airport on Saturday to address a convention of advocates in the city. They also took out processions to condemn Karachi killings.
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