Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf may have ruled out any need to impose emergency in the nation, bloody clashes between pro-government and opposition activists continue to play the havoc for the second day in Karachi, the country’s largest city, leaving about 40 people dead and over 150 injured.
The clashes were provoked by a judicial crisis on March 9, after president Musharraf suspended Pakistani chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, for alleged abuses of his post and authority.
After the critical decision, which protesters have discarded as an immoral attempt by president to knock the democracy and ease his way to another term, the crisis has occupied the nation and protesters laden with banners, roads and arms have taken to the streets to rally against Musharraf.
On Sunday, gunfires were exchanged between the supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a coalition partner of president Musharraf, and anti-Musharraf protesters, killing above five people and wounding 58 others. Apart from waging gun-battles, infuriated demonstrators flamed vehicles and ignited many shops and stores.
According to the Pakistani Bar Council and legal experts, Musharraf does not have the constitutional power to remove the chief justice. Over the controversial dismissal of Justice Iftikhar, 14 higher and civil court judges and two deputy attorney generals have resigned by now.
Due to the boycott by the judges and lawyers across Pakistan, all civil and higher courts remain closed nationwide.
Police used tear gas and batons in to disperse the crowd and banned public gatherings, of more than five people, in and around the volatile Karachi city.
To suppress the political clashes Pakistani authorities have given the orders of shoot at sight to the police and paramilitary forces in the southern port city.
Growing support in favor of Iftikhar Chaudhry and allegations of not putting adequate efforts to stop the protest and killings has put renewed pressure on President Musharraf and placed him on the back foot over the issue.
