Violent clashes in the large Pakistani city of Karachi, the commercial centre, have left "at least 27" dead after targeted assassinations of opposition party activists and open gunfire by pro-Musharraf gangs. Local television stations broadcast pictures of one group firing from an intersection.
The purpose of all this was to stop the Chief Justice, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, reaching the city for a rally after flying into the airport. In advance of his arrival pro-junta activists had blocked streets. The rally has now been called off as the violence has stopped Chaudhry leaving the airport.
The miliary dictator and Bush client, General Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani president is attempting to get his rule extended. He is due to hold a rally himself in the capital Islamabad soon (due to start before 17.00 UT) While there is no obvious successor, the opposition parties to some extent being too divided, it is not in the USA's medium term interest to continue to prop up Musharraf.
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