Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Pakistan party pressures government on Karachi violence
|  
 
 
 
 
	
	
		
Edition:
		
U.S.
		
		
	
	
		
			
				
					
					
						
					
				
				
					
					
						
					
				
				
					
					
						
					
				
			
		
	
	
	
		
			
				
				
			
		
	
 
	
 
	
 
 
	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
	
	
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
 
	
 
	
		
Article
    
Comments (0)
Slideshow
               
      
	
Email
Print
Reprints
 
      
	
	
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
 
	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
                         
Full Focus
Editor's choice
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.  Full Article 
                
	  
 
 
		
Read
		
		
		
Obama to appear on TV science show 'Mythbusters'
	6:00am EDT 
	
New guidelines drop the "P" from CPR
	2:31am EDT 
	
WRAPUP 1-Two Fed officials favor aggressive easing options
	16 Oct 2010 
	
Airlines asked to reduce France flights on Tuesday
	6:00am EDT 
	
Cracks appear in Chile miners' 'pact of silence'
	10:39am EDT 
	
	
		
		
		
Discussed
		
		
		
207
			California governor debate turns into verbal brawl
103
			U.S. judge allows states’ healthcare suit to proceed
102
			U.S. is currency war’s ”tomb maker”: China economist
	
		
		
		
Watched
		
		
                                 	
					  
                      
     
			
Red faces over top model gaffe
		Tue, Sep 28 2010
                                 	
					  
                      
     
			
Rare public appearance
		Sun, Oct 17 2010
                                 	
					  
                      
     
			
A fuel bringing Mars within range?
		Thu, Oct 14 2010
		
		
 
	
 
  
       
    
    
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
  
       
    
    
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
  
  
  
  
  
		
		
		
		
	
	
	
	
	
    	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
 
		
	
		 
		
		 
		
		
	        
		
Pakistan party pressures government on Karachi violence
	
     
        
            
          		
                 
            
 Tweet This
            
Share on LinkedIn
            
 Share on Facebook
            
    
               
      
 
      
               
      
	
Factbox
	
		
        
Factbox - Pakistan commercial hub hit by violence again
Sun, Oct 17 2010
	
	
Related News
	
		
		
Gunmen kill 29 in Pakistan's Karachi as election held
Sun, Oct 17 2010
Pakistan PM plays down prospect of row with judges
Sun, Oct 17 2010
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee firms; o/n rates down
Wed, Oct 13 2010
Pakistan flood damage at $9.5 billion: officials
Wed, Oct 13 2010
	
      
	
Analysis & Opinion
	
		
Asia – A week in Pictures 17 October 2010
	
Taliban talks: “an iffy, high-level treaty”
	
	
               
      
    
Related Topics
        
            
                
World »
                
        
    
      
               
      
 
      
               
      
 
                     
      
               
               
                    
                        
                        
                        
1 / 2
                    
                
                
                
                       
                            
     
                        
                    
                
                                    
                                        
                                            
Hospital workers console a man grieving for a family member who died after being targeted in Karachi October 17, 2010. 
                                            
Credit: Reuters/Majid Hussain
                                        
                                    
                                
 
 
        
By Faisal Aziz
        
        KARACHI | 
        Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:39am EDT
        
    
KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan's dominant political force in Karachi has stepped up pressure on the government to protect its workers after violence again raised fears of instability in the country's commercial capital.
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) threatened to pull out of the coalition government of President Zardari after at least 33 people were killed in weekend attacks coinciding with a by-election to replace a MQM lawmaker murdered in August.
That could lead to the government losing its National Assembly majority, or its downfall if the MQM sides with the opposition.
The government already faces an array of problems, including a possible showdown with the judiciary, a Taliban insurgency and the task of rebuilding after summer floods that made more than 10 million homeless and are likely to strain the economy for years.
MQM has made similar threats before, but the latest bloodshed has increased the chances of that happening, party sources say. Several party workers were killed, the MQM said.
"We cannot tolerate the continued killings of our workers and are increasingly unable to justify our presence in a government which has failed to protect us," said a senior MQM leader.
SUPREME COURT PRESSURE
Speculation is growing that Pakistan's Supreme Court would uphold the scrapping of an amnesty law, possibly opening the door to attempts to prosecute government leaders, including Zardari.
The law allowed some current politicians -- including Zardari -- to return after years of exile, but was thrown out in December 2009 by the Supreme Court which must now pronounce on a government attempt to overturn that ruling.
The MQM blamed its rival, the ethnic Pashtun-based Awami National Party (ANP), for the weekend killings in Karachi, an allegation it denied.
Mohajirs, descendants of Urdu-speakers who migrated from India after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, are the biggest community and dominate the city's politics through the MQM party.
Unofficial results showed the MQM sweeping Sunday's election for a provincial seat to replace lawmaker Raza Haider, whose shooting triggered violence which killed 100 people in a week.
Political and ethnic rivalries and turf wars between them -- sometimes linked to criminal gangs -- make it difficult to maintain order in Karachi, home to Pakistan's main port, stock exchange and central bank and the main gateway for Western military supplies bound for neighboring landlocked Afghanistan.
Karachi generates 68 percent of the government's revenue and 25 percent of Pakistan's gross domestic product.
"We have taken an executive decision that all parties will need to hand over to the police the complete list of people who they expel on charges of misconduct, criminal activities or any other suspicion," Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters.
	
	
1
			
2
			
Next
	
			
World
			
 
	 
     
    
    
    
 
     
    
 
       
Add a Comment
       
       
        
     
    
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
   
 
  
  
	
		
	
		
	
		
	
		
	
		
	
		
	
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
	
	
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
 
Reuters
	
Contact Us
	
Advertise With Us
	
Help
	
Journalism Handbook
	
Archive
	
Site Index
	
Video Index
	
Reader Feedback
 
	
Mobile
	
Newsletters
	
RSS
	
Podcasts
	
Widgets
	
Your View
	
Analyst Research
Thomson Reuters
	
Copyright
	
Disclaimer
	
Privacy
	
Professional Products
	
Professional Products Support
	
Financial Products
	
About Thomson Reuters
	
Careers
Online Products
	
Acquisitions Monthly
	
Buyouts
	
Venture Capital Journal
	
International Financing Review
	
Project Finance International
	
PEhub.com
	
PE Week
	
FindLaw
 Reuters on Facebook
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
 
	
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
Other News on Monday, 18 October 2010 ECB warns on currency, calls for euro sanctions  
Saudis say al Qaeda targeting France: minister
|  
Iran arrests six Afghan military officers, soldier: report  
Privacy a Facebook priority, says director Randi Zuckerberg  
Saudis warn Europeans of terrorist threat: French minister  
Syrian, Saudi leaders met to discuss Lebanon, Iraq  
Everton down Liverpool as new era starts with loss  
Pakistan PM plays down prospect of row with judges
|  
France seeks to calm fuel fears as strike momentum builds  
Iraq PM seeks regional support for new term  
FBI Previously Alerted By Convicted Terrorist's Wives of 2008 Mumbai Massacre  
Chile miners return to Camp Hope  
Frozen Vegetables Recalled, May Have Glass Fragments  
Israeli inquiry issues call for flotilla witnesses  
Iran warns domestic media over opposition news  
Afghan: Consult system on military ops not working  
Iraq PM seeks regional support for new term
|  
Syrian, Saudi leaders met to discuss Lebanon, Iraq
|  
Over 100,000 evacuated in rain lashed Hainan: state media  
Gunman kill 29 in Pakistan's Karachi as election held  
Commonwealth Games chief rejects corruption claims  
Zambia to charge Chinese mine bosses over shooting  
Thai Red Shirts stage mass rally  
Vietnam floods leave 14 dead as thousands evacuated  
Pakistan political violence kills 21 in Karachi  
Thai "red shirts" rally to demand leaders be freed  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
"Jackass 3D" pranksters top box office a 3rd time  
Roman soldiers, Celtic warriors re-enact battle  
Pope Declares Six New Saints  
Pope Announces First Australian Saint  
Qatar School Bans Teachers from Getting Pregnant  
Jackass daredevils top box office for third time
|  
Actresses take center stage on Oscar watch list
|  
Rush hour bomb kills three in Afghan city  
France seeks to calm fuel fears as strike momentum builds  
US-TECH Summary  
Clearwire and Sprint set big city high-speed launches  
Some private security firms to stay in Afghanistan  
Little hope for miners in latest China disaster
|  
Al-Qaeda reaches out armed with English, Internet  
Gene found to play key role in depression  
Bomb kills 3 Afghans; NATO detainee found dead  
Mob attacks Kuwait TV station over royal "insult"  
Skype and KDDI partner in Japan  
US vows marijuana enforcement despite California vote  
Setback for Brazil's Serra as Greens stay neutral
|  
US office-seekers dip into digital toolkits as vote looms  
Super typhoon hits Philippines
|  
Gates: No sensitive info in WikiLeaks Afghan papers  
German ministers slam Facebook for privacy glitch  
Mob attacks Kuwait TV station over royal insult
|  
Global Weather-Celsius  
Privacy a Facebook priority, says director Randi Zuckerberg  
Japan PM worried over safety of Japanese in China
|  
Thai PM in court as party faces ban threat  
PETA accused of exploiting filmmakers  
China-Japan row simmers after street protests  
Little hope for miners in latest China disaster  
S.Korea says N.Korea's peace gestures not sincere  
Japan PM wants China to ensure citizens' safety  
Actresses take center stage on Oscar watch list  
One dead as typhoon whips northern Philippines  
Vienna Opera scores hit with 'Cardillac'  
Japan PM's regret over China anti-Japan protests  
Study predicts women in power, Muslims heading West  
Clearwire and Sprint set big city high-speed launches
|  
Stunt show 'Jackass' in 3D tackles box office  
Super typhoon to hit north Philippines on Monday  
Irish glass-making city shattered by economic crisis  
Skype and KDDI partner in Japan
|  
Strong storm heads for Philippines; thousands flee  
IMF meets central bank chiefs in Shanghai  
Italian animated film wins Anim'est award in Bucharest  
Titanic survivor's tale of disaster sold at auction  
US says Chinese firms ignoring Iran sanctions  
Seoul shares slip amid caution; Hana Fin gains  
Taiwan dlr gains limited as USD climbs after Bernanke  
Global leaders mull joint governance ahead of G20  
S.Korea c.bank plays down global economy double-dip risk  
NZ inflation tame, no rush to raise rates  
S.Korea bonds weaker; c.bank parliament audit eyed  
S.Korea c.bank warns of more steps over FX debt  
Seoul shares edge up as tech shares advance  
Canadian cops probe Justin Bieber laser tag mishap
|  
Jackass daredevils top box office for third time
|  
Iraq PM Maliki in Iran as rival cries foul  
RIM starts new Mideast services after escaping UAE ban  
U.S. says Iran has a role in Afghan talks
|  
Turkey begins trial of 151 pro-Kurdish politicians  
IMF chief warns global recovery 'in peril' i  
Apple's earnings to showcase one-two punch  
Bin Laden 'living comfortably in Pakistan'  
Cyber attacks, terrorism top UK threats: officials
|  
Skype forms tie-up with Japan's KDDI  
Iran's Khamenei calls for Iraqi government formation
|  
Hilton Chicago Workers On Third Day Of Strike  
Afghan gunmen kill 9 guards protecting NATO convoy  
French protests intensify, government stands firm
|  
First Footage From "Scream 4" Premieres At Spike TVs Scream Awards  
Search Suspended For Missing FL Kayaker  
Music streaming seen boosting mobile sales: study  
Cracks appear in Chile miners' 'pact of silence'
|  
Reporter Cuffed, Detained By Alaskan Senatorial Hopeful Guards  
Iran says ready for nuclear talks if agenda clear
|  
Facebook apps leak user information: report  
Sally Field Opens Up About Her Life As An Empty Nester On "The Nate Berkus Show"  
Pakistan party pressures government on Karachi violence
|  
Moscow court jails three for Chechen murder
|  
Pentagon braces for huge WikiLeaks dump on Iraq war  
FDA Approves Botox For Migraine Treatment  
Bombardier Unveils New Business Jets  
Finnish firm finds hard-to-detect online attacks  
Detainee in NATO Afghan custody found dead
|  
Heart Association: CPR Change Starts With Chest Compressions  
Myanmar's Suu Kyi wants to use Twitter after release  
Facebook founder eyes China, faces death threats in Pakistan  
Myanmar bars foreign monitors, media for election  
Studies Downplay Risk Of Moderate Drinking By Pregnant Women  
Breakthrough: Brain Surgery by Drilling Through The Nose  
Thai PM Abhisit testifies in political funding case  
Mumbai attacks gunman begins death sentence appeal  
China Vice-President given key military posting  
Jagger's ex rejects 'tiny todger' jibe  
Gaza tunnellers turn former lifeline into export channel  
China mine toll hits 31 as anger rises over rescue  
China quake film tops Asia Pacific award nominations  
Passion dominates piano competition on Chopin's bicentennial  
Facebook apps leak user information: report
|  
Cape Town city and graffiti artists face spray-off  
Apple's earnings to showcase one-two punch
|  
Indonesia to probe fresh torture claims: police  
PETA accused of exploiting filmmakers  
Cyber attacks, terrorism top UK threats: officials
|  
Firms lose more to electronic than physical theft
|  
Finnish firm finds hard-to-detect online attacks
|  
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee flat  
Neil Patrick Harris to direct romantic comedy  
Canadian cops probe Justin Bieber laser tag mishap  
RIM starts new Mideast services after escaping UAE ban
|  
China aims for 'relatively fast' growth through 2015  
Music streaming seen boosting mobile sales: study
|  
Asian markets slip as Bernanke fails to lift sentiment  
Pentagon braces for huge WikiLeaks dump on Iraq war
|  
S.Korea's KEPCO wins $1.5 bln plant order for UAE  
Wal-Mart, Gap to launch online stores in China  
Cambodian state pay to jump under higher 2011 budget  
S.Korea c.bank: not opting to control capital flows  
US has 'double standards' in currency dispute: China  
Actresses take center stage on Oscar watch list
|  
Jolie wins permit back for Bosnian film
|  
Bret Michaels hits reality road again
|  
PETA accused of exploiting filmmakers
|  
China quake film tops Asia Pacific award nominations
|  
Neil Patrick Harris to direct romantic comedy
|  
Kid Cudi putting his troubles behind
|  
Firms lose more to electronic than physical theft  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights