Karachi's ethnic, political violence kills 70 in three days

[xchrom]

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/07/08/uk-pakistan-violence-karachi-idUKTRE7670ZC20110708

(Reuters) - Pakistani police and paramilitary troops were ordered Friday to shoot on sight in its largest city Karachi after up to 70 people were killed in three days of ethnic and political violence.

Shops and fuel stations were shut 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 surge in violence in the country's financial hub.

"We have issued orders to the security forces to shoot anyone involved in violence on the spot," Sharjeel Memon, the provincial information minister, told Reuters.

"In addition to the police and Rangers, another 1,000 personnel of the Frontier Constabulary will be deployed in the city to control the violence," he said, referring to another paramilitary force.