Death Toll Passes 90 In Karachi Violence

Pakistani police investigate the site of a burned market in a violence-hit western neighborhood of Karachi of July 8.

Pakistani officials say the death toll in Karachi from political violence this week has climbed to more than 90.

Home Ministry spokesman Sharafuddin Memon said that among the dead are two children, including a 12-year-old who was hit by a stray bullet early today.

He said that more than 100 suspects have been arrested in a crackdown on the violence and that paramilitary troops are in control and patrolling troubled parts of the port city.

The unrest has been blamed on loyalists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the dominant local party that represents Pakistanis who migrated from India, and the Awami National Party (ANP) of Pashtuns from the northwest.

compiled from agency reports