Pakistan News: sectarian violence in Karachi - 39 dead.

Police: 39 dead in Pakistani city after days of clashes

By the CNN Wire Staff

July 7, 2011 -- Updated 0950 GMT (1750 HKT)

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• The violence began Tuesday, police say
• The clashes involve Urdu speaking and Pashto speaking political parties
• Violence between supporters of the two parties has caused many deaths in recent years

(CNN) -- Ongoing sectarian violence has left 39 people dead in a southern Pakistani city (Karachi)  in the last few days, police said Thursday.

Ten people were killed on Tuesday, 18 on Wednesday and 11 on Thursday after clashes in several neighborhoods in Karachi, said Arslan Umar, a police official in the city.

The clashes have been blamed on a bitter rivalry between the political parties of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP).

The MQM mostly represents Urdu-speaking people, who migrated to Pakistan from India during partition in 1947, while the Awami National Party, represents Pashto speakers -- more of whom are moving to Karachi from northwest Pakistan in search of jobs.

Violence between supporters of the two parties and other turf wars in Karachi have killed hundreds in recent years.

From CNN's Reza Sayah and journalist Nasir Habib.

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http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/07/07/pakistan.violence/