At least 27 people were killed and dozens more wounded in the city of Karachi yesterday as Pakistan's political crisis escalated into fierce gun battles.The crisis, sparked by President Pervez Musharraf's suspension of the country's chief justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, on 9 March, exploded into lethal clashes on the streets of Karachi when Chaudhry tried to visit the city for a political rally of his supporters.
The suspension of Chaudhry over allegations of 'misconduct' has outraged the judiciary and the opposition, and rapidly turned into the most serious challenge to Musharraf's authority since he seized power in 1999 in a bloodless coup.
The crisis coincides with the run-up to a general election and an anticipated attempt by Musharraf, a close ally of the US, to secure another term. Analysts say Musharraf's main motive in seeking the removal of the independent-minded Chaudhry is to have a more pliable man in place in case of a constitutional challenge to his plans.
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