Karachi violence
July 25, 2011
Most of the weekend's casualties were reported in the city's eastern multi-ethnic and lower to middle class neighborhoods. "We have identified the people and at least 200 police commandos will be dispatched to search and arrest these people," said Naeem Boroka, a senior police official in Karachi's eastern area. Police said there was no clear reason for the latest bout of fighting.
History of ethnic strife
Karachi is home to more than 18 million people and has a long history of ethnic, religious and sectarian violence. Local quarrels and political disputes often explode into battles engulfing entire districts. The areas affected are home to ethnic Pashtuns and Muhajirs, the descendents of Urdu-speaking refugees who fled India to settle in Karachi in 1947 following the subcontinent's partition. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) represents the Muhajirs while the Pashtuns are loyal to the Awami National Party (ANP).
The two political parties representing the two ethnic groups have a history of enmity and violence between them. However, according to Sharjeel Memon, Information Minister of the Sindh Province, the recent fighting also included Sunni-Shiite violence, with personal feuds played out in an environment that has seen a breakdown in law and order.
The MQM, the ANP and the Pakistan People's Party have often used street thugs and ethnic gangs over the years as foot soldiers in a city-wide war over political power in Karachi, which contributes 68 percent of Pakistan's tax revenues and hosts the country's largest ports.
Target for terrorist attacks
Other than sectarian violence, Karachi has also been a target for terrorist attacks, especially after the September 11 attacks on the United States, when Pakistan joined the US-led campaign against militancy. Foreigners have been attacked in the city several times. A recent report from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 1,138 people were killed in Karachi in the first six months of 2011, of whom 490 were victims of political, ethnic and sectarian violence.
Author: Manasi Gopalakrishnan (Reuters, dpa, AFP)
Editor: Sarah Berning