ISLAMABAD, Aug 3 (Saba) -- More than 40 people have been killed and around 130 wounded in separate incidents in Karachi also known as the hotbed city of ethnic and sectarian violence in Pakistan, police and officials said on Tuesday, according to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

The violence was triggered after the killing of a provincial lawmaker and leader of Muhajir-dominated Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Raza Haider.
The leader was gunned down in a mosque, where he had gone to attend a funeral prayer.

His killing sparked violent protests and party supporters went on rampage. According to police sources, dozens of vehicles and shops have been set on fire.

A journalist, Rizwan Akbar, told KUNA that the violence has almost put the business on halt in economically-vital city, usually called as the jugular vein of Pakistan.

People have been restricted into their homes, he said, adding that despite heavy security measures and police deployment, it appears the situation is getting out of control.

Police has declared Site area, Malir, Baldia Town, and Orangi Town as sensitive areas.

Schools and colleges are closed for the day in mourning of the murdered leader of MQM.

Police sources confirmed that at least 40 people have been killed and near to 130 wounded in different incidents of target-killing and revenge cases.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik talking to newsmen held outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Sipah-e-Sahaba (SS) responsible for the killing. At his orders, a team of senior police officers has been set and directed to nab the assailants within next twenty-four hours.

Similarly, the violence spread to Hyderabad district as well, which is also known as the hometown second Muhajir-dominated area after Karachi. At least six people have reportedly been killed and several wounded in violence-related incidents.

MQM, a coalition partner of former dictator Pervez Musharraf's regime, is a Muhajir-dominated party and has been accused of spreading ethnic riots in the city. The party chief, Altaf Hussain, has been living in a self-imposed exile in London since 1970s.

Violence in Karachi has never receded, however, it always explode after the killing of any senior official from any rival political or religious party. Although, the ethnic tension is blamed for Karachi violence but the analysts have termed it more economic then ethnic.

Saba