Pakistani police search troubled Karachi areas as death toll rises to 98
Baku, July 9 (AZERTAC). Pakistani security forces combed troubled neighbourhoods in the country`s commercial hub, Karachi, on Saturday in search of gunmen as the death toll from ethnic and political violence, which entered its fifth day on Saturday, rose to 98.
Police and paramilitary troops were ordered on Friday to shoot on sight in Pakistan`s largest city, where an extra 1,000 paramilitary personnel were also deployed to control violence in multi-ethnic, lower middle class neighbourhoods.
"Our personnel have entered the area and are working to take full control," said a security police official, who did not want to be identified.
A police spokesman said 157 people had been arrested in the operation since last night, and 38 pistols and three AK-47 rifles recovered.
A paramilitary Rangers spokesman said troops had rescued hundreds of people trapped in the troubled areas since last night.
According to police data, up to 98 people have been killed since the violence began on Tuesday, while more than 150 people have been wounded.
Karachi, home to more than 18 million people, has a long history of ethnic, religious and sectarian violence.
A recent report from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 1,138 people were killed in Karachi in the first six months of 2011, of whom 490 were victims of political, ethnic and sectarian violence.
The city was completely shut on Friday and public transport idled after the city`s dominant political party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), announced a day of mourning in response to the latest violence.
In some ways, Karachi raises more troubling questions over Pakistan`s stability than the northwest border regions seen as a global hub for militants and a huge concern for the West.
As the commercial hub, any trouble could disturb industrial activity, and have serious consequences for the economy.
