A man lies dead in Golimar Square, near Razvia Market in Karachi. He was killed by government paramilitaries responding to firing by Shi’ite protestors, angry at the assassination of one of their leaders, Imran Farooq, in London. The number of targeted shootings in the Karachi area of Pakistan escalated in 2010, with over 1,100 violent deaths recorded by October. The cause of the killings remains obscure, but it appears to be a mix of political, religious and criminal violence. Some observers blame rivalry between parties that have their electoral bases in different ethnic groups in the city. Others say the violence is linked to criminal gangs, allegedly controlled by major political parties. Some killings appear directly politically motivated, reactions to the assassination of political figures. Sectarian conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslim communities has also been blamed. 

(via semasahin)