Karachi: At least 25 people were killed in
ethnic and sectarian violence today in Pakistan`s financial
capital, taking the toll to 70 in the wave of attacks in the
last three days.
In the worst incident, unknown armed men today killed
at least 10 people when unknown armed men fired
indiscriminately on passengers of a mini-bus.
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said the
armed men intercepted the coaster near Banaras Chowk
neighbourhood and shot indiscriminately on the passengers,
killing at least 10 and wounding 20 others.
He said the attackers escaped in the narrow bylanes.
In all, some 25 more people were reported killed since
last night, bringing the death toll in the last three days to
around 70, with scores injured amid growing tensions between
the ruling PPP and its estranged ally Mutthaida Qaumi Movement
(MQM).
A six-year-old girl and a fruit vendor were killed in
the worst-hit Qasba Colony area of Orangi Town due to firing.
Five people were hijacked and killed in a public
transport bus in Gulshan-e-Iqbal area early yesterday.
The violence is blamed on political and ethnic
differences between the the Pashtun-dominated Awami National
Party (ANP) and the Urdu speaking MQM, which has considerable
influence in Pakistan`s largest city.
Panic and fear gripped Pakistan`s financial hub after
the MQM announced a series of peaceful protests over the
violence, particularly in Orangi town which has been the worst
hit.
Amid anticipation that the MQM would announce a
two-day strike to protest the killings, petrol pumps and shops
downed their shutters since afternoon and people rushing back
home.
PTI
