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{{Current|date=May 2007}}
On [[May 12]], [[2007]], at least forty-one people were killed in riots erupting across [[Karachi]], capital of the province of [[Sindh]] and the most populous city in [[Pakistan]].<ref name="deserted">{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/13/news/pakistan.php|title=Riots in Karachi leave dozens dead|author=Associated Press|date=May 13, 2007|publisher=International Herald Tribune}}</ref><ref name="forbes">{{cite web|url=http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/05/14/ap3719116.html|title=Opposition to Pakistani president grows|author=Stephen Graham|publisher=Forbes|date=May 13, 2007}}</ref> Roads were blocked, cars burned and hundreds of people injured and arrested. The violence erupted after the arrival of suspended [[Chief Justice]] [[Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry]], who came to address the city bar association on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the [[Sindh High Court]] [[Bar Association]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200705121470.htm|author=AP|title=Three shot dead in clashes in Pakistan|source=The Hindu|Date=May 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/05/12/pakistan.strife/index.html|title=Deadly violence erupts in Pakistan|author=Syed Mohsin Naqvi|publisher=CNN|date=May 12, 2007}}</ref>
[[Image:Karachi riots 1.jpg||right|thumb|300px|Different political party workers exchanging gun fire]]
==Tension between Chaudhry and Musharraf==
Chaudhry had been suspended from his post as Chief Justice by President [[Pervez Musharraf]] on [[March 9]], [[2007]] for alleged misconduct. Since the event, there had been unrest in Pakistan, both with regards to the validity of the allegations, as well as doubt as to whether Musharraf actually had the power to suspend the Chief Justice under the circumstances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyindia.com/show/140656.php/Suspended-Pak-CJ-arrives-in-Karachi-amid-violence-and-tight-security|publisher=Daily India|title=Suspended Pak CJ arrives in Karachi amid violence and tight security|date=May 12, 2007}}</ref>
There had been previous conflict between Chaudhry and Musharraf, specifically with regard to the [[Pakistan Steel Mills]] case, in which Chaudhry held back the sale of Pakistan's state-run steel mills to a colleague of Musharraf's.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C06%5C21%5Cstory_21-6-2006_pg7_14|title=Pakistan Steel Mills’ privatisation case: AG requests Supreme Court to deliver moderate verdict|author=Mohammad Kamran|date=[[June 21]], [[2006]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20070430&filename=news&sec_id=4&sid=8|title=Pakistan president suspends chief justice|author=Shahid Husain|date=March, 2007}}</ref>
During his time on the bench, Mr. Chaudhry also presided over the controversial “forced disappearance” cases. These were charges brought by families that believed their relatives were taken by intelligence agencies without due process.<ref name="masood">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/world/asia/13cnd-pakistan.html?hp|date=May 13,2007|author=salman masood|title=Pakistani Leader Assailed for Deadly Clashes|publisher=New York Times}}</ref> Human rights groups say that at least 400 people are suspected to have been detained secretly by these agencies since 2001.<ref name="lahore"/>
==Chaudhry's speaking tour==
[[Image:lahore2.jpg||right|thumb|300px|Throngs of supporters at Chaudhry's speaking venue in Lahore]]
Leading up to the riots, Chaudhry had been speaking at cities across Pakistan, with his most recent visit before the riots to the city of [[Lahore]]. During his final speech before the riots, his main theme was the tenet that the government had "no right" to impose laws violating "basic human rights." He went on to say, "Those countries and nations who don’t learn from the past and repeat those mistakes [will be] destroyed," [sic]<ref name="lahore"/> At the meeting, banners urging the independence of the judiciary and denouncing Musharraf hung on boundary walls surrounding the compound. Mr. Chaudhry’s vehicle was showered with rose petals at every stop, and people pushed close to get a glimpse of him. The authorities made no effort to stop the caravan, although opposition parties had since claimed political workers had been arrested.<ref name="lahore"/>
==Chaudhry's arrival and troop response==
Gunfire began as Chaudhry's plane landed, and dozens of vehicles were set on fire. Smoke arose from at least four areas of the city, as competing parties had scheduled rallies supporting either Chaudhry or Musharraf. Armed groups from the two camps also exchanged fire as tension escalated.<ref name="deserted"/>
During the riots, troops were given orders to 'arrest or shoot anyone involved in violence and riots threatening life or property.'<ref>cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/13/news/pakistan.php|title=Riots in Karachi leave dozens dead|author=Associated Press|publisher=International Herald Tribuen|date=May 13, 2007}}</ref> Many of those killed were supporters of Chaudhry, and were seen on television being shot by members of the Karachi police force.<ref name="ibn">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/world/05_2007/gunmen-open-fire-at-pak-tv-channel-40437.html|title=Gunmen open fire at Pak TV channel|publisher=CNN-IBN|date=May 12, 2007}}</ref> More than 800 political workers were arrested, the majority of whom were members of labor and student organizations that had been planning to greet Chaudhry on his arrival.<ref name="cnn"/>
Ambulances were not spared from the crossfire. A vehicle from Edhi Ambulance Service, for example, carried an injured man from the scene of a gunfight, but was stopped in [[Malir]] and both the driver and passenger were killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUcKNRo2A5g|title=Faisal Edhi, administrator of Edhi services talking to Geo TV|publisher=Geo TV}}</ref>
==Jinnah International Airport==
The Chief Justice was stationed at the [[Jinnah International Airport]] and had been unable to leave due to violence and road-blocks established around his ___location, as well as fears that his leaving may have precipitated further bloodshed.<ref name="cnn"/> In accomodatin, the government agreed to send a helicopter to transport him out of the airport, but Chaudhry refused, indicating that he wished to travel by ground.<ref name="cnn"/> Ultimately, Chaudhry would not compromise on this issue and returned to [[Islamabad]], stating that he was unwilling to leave the airport without sufficient security as well as his cadré of lawyers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/12/welcome.htm|title=Dawn.com - 24 hour News Updates Online|accessmonthday = May 12|accessyear = 2007}}</ref> According to Munir A. Malik, on of the chief justice's lawyers, Musharraf's offer to transport Chaudhry by helicopter was actually an attempt to "kidnap" him. Retired Brig. Ghulam Mohammad Mohatarem, home secretary of Sindh Province, denied the charges and said the chief justice was “not stopped, but guided” at the airport.<ref name="assassination"/>
On [[May 12]] [[2007]], [[Pakistan International Airlines]] issued a statement indicating that all flights from Karachi had been delayed, as cabin crews could not reach the airport due to road blocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aaj.tv/news/news.php?pg=0&show=detail&nid=3|title=Flights from Karachi Disrupted: PIA|author=AAJ Television Network|date=May 12, 2007}}</ref>
==Aaj Television Network==
Much of the violence has centered around the offices of television station [[Aaj TV]], a news network that has covered the recent dispute between Chief Justice Chaudhry and President Musharraf extensively. According to news reports, a huge mob surrounded the building earlier today. Its parking lot is still ablaze with uncontrolled fire, while similar infernos rage throughout the city.<ref name="ibn"/> The network chief executive, Arshad Subairi, has issued the following statement regarding the current crisis: <blockquote>Our cameramen were shooting the rally procession when the gunmen started to fire indiscriminately at our office. No security was sent to us though the firing went on for three hours.<ref name="ibn"/>....The Aaj TV building came under fire from MQM supporters who wanted the airing of live footage of the unrest in the city stopped.<ref>[http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/13/top6.htm| Armed men attack Aaj TV office]</ref></blockquote>
==Media ban==
On [[May 9]] [[2007]], the Pakistani Supreme Court issued a media ban on discussion of the suspension of Chaudhry by Musharraf. Journalist organizations protested the ban, responding that the goal of the media was to cover, not contribute, to the current controversy. The Supreme Court in response agreed to issue special passes for reporters and lawyers to attend the presidential reference filed against the Chief Justice.<ref name="cnn"/>
==Karachi's violent past==
This is not the first time religious and ideological contention has led to bloodshed in Karachi, although typically not to this magnitude.
On [[August 26]]th, [[1987]], disagreement over the disputed territory of [[Kashmir]] led to riots in which nine people were killed and eighty were left injured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.library.utoronto.ca/pcs/eps/urban/urbanend.htm|author=Hussain Akmal|title=The Karachi Riots of December 1986: Crisis of State and Civil Society in Pakistan|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref>
In [[June]] of [[2002]], a suicide car bomb exploded near the [[United States]] [[Consulate]], killing at eleven people and injuring forty, coming a day after talks of then US Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]] held talks with Musharraf on curbing Islamic fundamentalism in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2044359.stm|title=Bush condemns 'radical killers'|author=BBC News|publisher=BBC News|date=June 14, 2002}}</ref> A previously unknown group named [[Al-Qanoon]] claimed responsibility for the attack. [[George W. Bush|President Bush]], stated in response, "We fight an enemy that are radical killers...They claim they're [a] religious people and they blow up Muslims. They have no regard for individual life."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/06/14/karachi.blast/|date=June 14,2002|author=Chris Burns, Syed Mohsin Naqvi, David Ensor, Azhar Abbas|source=CNN|title=Bush: 'Radical killers' behind Karachi bomb}}</ref>
In [[September]] of [[2002]], Muslim extremists entered the offices of the Organization for Peace and Justice, a Christian welfare group, known in Pakistan as Adara Aman-o-Insaf, bound the hands and mouths of several Pakistani Christians working at the organization, and shot them at point blank range, killing seven and wounding two.<ref>cite web|url=http://archives.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/asiapcf/south/09/25/pakistan.attack/|date=September 26, 2002|author=Ash-har Quraishi|source=CNN News}}</ref> Following the event, hundreds of Pakistanis rallied to denounce Islamic fundamentalism. It was the sixth attack in 2002 alone against Westerners and Christians.<ref>{{cite web|url=Pakistanis rally over execution killing|author=Ash-har Quraishi|date= September 26, 2002|source=CNN News}}</ref>
On [[May 7]]th, [[2004]], fourteen people were killed and more than 125 were wounded during prayer service at a Sunni Mosque.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/pakistan/Story/0,2763,1211848,00.html|source=The Gaurdian|title=14 dead in Karachi mosque blast|author=Associated Press|date=May 7, 2006}}</ref> That same month, a thirty-five people were killed in two separate suicide-bombings on Karachi Shia Mosques. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4617553.stm|date=June 7, 2005|author=BBC News}}</ref>
On [[May 30]]th, [[2005]], angry mobs went on rampage in Karachi shortly after a suicide-bombing attack on the [[Shia]] [[Mosque]], Mandinatul Ilm. The initial attack left at least five dead, while the mob set ablaze a local [[Kentucky Fried Chicken]], resulting in the deaths of six of its employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/4595599.stm|title=In pictures: Karachi riots|publisher=BBC News|date=May 30, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4594023.stm|title=Riots after Karachi mosque attack|author=Associated Press|date=[[May 31]], 2005}}</ref>
On [[April 11th]], [[2006]], a powerful blast ripped through a religious congregation in the southern port city of Karachi on Tuesday, killing 47 people and leaving more than 80 wounded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/11/news/pakistan.php|title= Blast kills 47 at religious rally in Karachi|author=Salman Masood|date=April 12, 2006|source=New York Times}}</ref> The blast took place during evening prayers. A Sunni religious leader, Haji Hanif Billu, was also killed.
==Sources of contention==
The majority of the fighting occurred as armed members of [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement]] {MQM) clashed with members of the oppositional [[Jamaat-e-Islami]] religious party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.monstersandcritics.com/southasia/news/article_1303541.php/At_least_18_killed_in_clashes_in_Karachi__1st_Lead_|title=At least 18 killed in clashes in Karachi|source=Deutsche Presse-Agentur|author=Associated Press|date=May 12, 2007}}</ref><ref name="assassination"/> The pro-Musharraf [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement|MQM]] had planned a rally coinciding with Chaudhry's arrival to demonstrate their support of Musharraf's suspension of the Chief Justice.<ref name="bloomberg"/>
[[Human Rights Watch]], a non-government affiliated human rights watch dog based in [[New York City]], recently issued a statement indicating that "This [violence] can either be due to the incompetence of the government, or its complicity."<ref name="ibn"/> Their statement went on, "The sequence of events leading up to this violence, including statements from the provincial authorities and the arrest of hundreds of opposition activists in the last few days, indicates that the government, acting through its coalition partners, has deliberately sought to foment violence in Karachi." <ref name="bloomberg">{{cite web|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=akyDC.kOwvik&refer=home|title=Pakistan Clashes Kill 30 in Karachi Over Top Judge|author=Khalid Qayum & Hariz Zamir|date=May 12, 2007}}</ref>
During a [[National Assembly]] meeting on Monday evening, opposition leader [[Liaqat Baloch]] condemned MQM for their alleged role in the Karachi affairs, and afterwards led the condolence prayers for victims of the carnage as well as for the deceased mother of the acting Speaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlinenews.com.pk/details.php?id=112219|title=Opposition raises ruckus in assembly over Karachi deaths|author=ANI Correspondent|date=May 14, 2007|publisher=International News Network Online}}</ref>
Wasim Akhtar, an advisor to the provincial home ministry, has claimed that the sources of the gunfire were radical Islamic groups who were targeting workers from the pro-government [[MQM]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=28680|title=Sixteen people killed as Karachi goes up in flames|Author=UNI Associated Press|date=May 12, 2007|publisher=New Kerala}}</ref> Leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement at a news conference in Karachi blamed the violence on the opposition parties--notably the [[Pakistan Peoples Party]], the [[Pakistan Muslim League]], [[Jamaat-e-Islami]], [[Awami National Party]] and [[Sunni Tehreek]].<ref name="masood"/>Altaf Hussain, Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, said Monday that he believed the attacks to be deliberately carried out in Karachi, although he did not indicate by whom. He did, however, urge his workers and party members to remain calm in the face of continuing violence.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyindia.com/show/141101.php/Altaf-sees-terrorism-plot-behind-Karachi-violence|title=Altaf sees terrorism plot behind Karachi violence|publisher=DailyIndia.com|author=ANI Correspondent|date=May 14, 2007}}</ref>
Despite fingers pointed at both sides of the dispute, the true source of bloodshed is currently unknown.<ref name="ibn"/>
==General strike and national holiday==
[[Image:Karachi_strike.jpg||right|thumb|300px|Lawyers in Karachi call general strike to protest recent riots]]
On May 14, 2007, opposition parties called for a general strike in Lahore, paralyzing the city and protesting the government response to the riots. 8,000 people, including lawyers and human rights activists, chanted "Out with Musharraf!" and "Death to [[Altaf Hussain]]!"<ref name="assassination">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/14/world/asia/14cnd-stan.html?_r=1&hp%3Cbr%3E&oref=slogin|title=Pakistani Official Killed as Strike Called in Karachi|author=Salman Masood|date=May 14, 2007|publisher=New York Times}}</ref> In addition, protestors burned [[effigies]] of Musharraf while hundreds forced their way through a police barricade.<ref name="forbes"/>
Authorities responded by banning demonstrations and declaring a national holiday. Shops were closed and public transportation was shut down in the country’s major cities. It is the largest strike in Pakistan since Musharraf assumed his presidency in [[1999]], with much of the unrest stemming from news reports that government troops were in Karachi, but took no action to separate armed pro-government MQM groups and opposition forces during the gunfights.<ref name="assassination"/>
==Shooting of Syed Hammad Raza==
Later that same day, [[Syed Hammad Raza]], a senior official in Pakistan's Supreme Court, was shot dead at approximately 4:30 PM. near his home in [[Islamabad]]. Mr. Raza was a close associate of Chaudhry. Chaudhry visited Mr. Raza's home today in condolence. According to Reuters, Shabana Raza, the widow of Mr. Raza, told Chaudhry, "You called him to Islamabad — you should have protected him, and now my children need protection as well.”<ref name="shabana">{{cite web|url=http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-05-14T214020Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-298136-5.xml|title=Witness for Pakistan's suspended judge shot dead|author=Reuters|publisher=Reuters India|date=May 14,2007}}</ref> According to one of Chaudhry's lawyer, Tariq Mehmood, "[Raza] was witness to many things. [For example] the chief justice said in his petition that some files were removed from his chamber on the day he was suspended....[Raza] was under pressure." Mehmood declined further comment.<ref name="shabana"/>
According to a Sunday editorial in [[The Daily Times]], a leading newspaper in Lahore, “The possibility of any compromise to correct the original mistake of Musharraf removing the C.J.P. has vanished now....The ante has been upped by the government.”<ref name="assassination"/>
==Uneasy peace==
On the evening of May 14, Sindh Chief Minister [[Arbab Ghulam Rahim]] said at a press conference that the situation in Karachi city was under control and no serious incidents of violence took place today, despite fears to the contrary. In response to questions he indicated that he said the opposition had not sought permission from the provincial government for holding the May 12th rallies in Karachi, but that general elections would still be held in Pakistani after a few months. At the same press conference, Rahim also indicated that [[Salimullah Khan]] of [[Jamia Farooqia University]] had recently been arrested, although he declined to state why.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9037&Itemid=2|title=Situation in Karachi under control: Arbab|author=Associated Press|date=May 14,2007|source=Associated Press of Pakistan}}</ref>
The city has been calmer since the riots, with security forces in armored personnel carriers and pickup trucks with mounted machine guns patrolling mostly peaceful and deserted streets. Tensions were still high, however, with the government authorizing paramilitary troops to shoot anyone involved in 'serious' violence.<ref name="deserted"/>
==See also==
* [[Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry]]
* [[Muttahida Qaumi Movement]]
* [[Karachi]]
* [[Pervez Musharraf]]
* [[Altaf Hussain]]
* [[Jinnah International Airport]]
* [[Aaj TV|Aaj Television Network]]
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Riots]]
[[Category:Pakistan]]
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