(23 Aug 1995) English/Nat
A powerful ethnic group in Pakistan virtually shut down the nation's largest city Wednesday by calling for a two day strike.
The Mohajir Qaumi Movement, or MQM, urged workers in Karachi to stay at home in protest at alleged police brutality.
At least five people had been killed in separate shooting incidents by midday.
The paralyzing strike called by the MQM left the streets of Pakistan's business capital nearly empty.
At least a dozen buses and cars were set on fire while police and paramilitary rangers patrolled the troubled areas in armoured cars.
The MQM - also heavily armed - became embroiled in violent clashes with the police.
Snipers hiding on rooftops killed five people by midday.
The bloodied bodies were brought to nearby hospitals, but doctors could do nothing to save them. Relatives wailed with pain and disgust at the random loss of lives.
The MQM accuse Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's government of cracking down on ethnic activities in order to wipe out the mohajir movement. The group is her strongest opposition in southern Sind province, where Karachi is located.
The group represents Indian Muslims who came to Pakistan after the two countries gained their independence in 1947.
The strike shut down Karachi's stock exchange and most other financial institutions. The majority of workers stayed home.
About 4,000 paramilitary troops swept through central neighbourhoods searching for weapons and ethnic militants.
Hundreds of guns and ammunition were discovered and displayed for the press.
In the last three months, nearly 900 people have been killed in Karachi by gunmen and militants roaming the streets with rocket launchers.
International human rights organizations have also accused Bhutto's government of committing human rights violations while trying to end the ethnic violence.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
