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Pakistan—Security forces were ordered to shoot gunmen on sight Friday in Pakistan's largest city, as four days of violence left at least 71 people dead and prompted political leaders to call for a day of mourning that shut businesses and kept public traffic off the roads.

This week's violent spate in Karachi was among the worst this year for a city that has long been a hotbed of ethnic, sectarian and political tensions. It came just days after the city's most powerful political party, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, said it was leaving the federal ruling coalition to join the opposition.

Such political shifts involving the MQM have historically been accompanied by violence in Karachi, though it and other parties active in the city deny stirring the tensions.

At least 34 people died on Thursday alone, when gunmen strafed buses and went on shooting sprees in several neighborhoods.

The order to shoot suspects on sight reflected the authorities' desperation to bring the spiraling violence under control.

Sharjeel Memon, the Sindh province information minister, said the order was aimed at "any armed miscreant" encountered by police, Rangers and other security troops.

Karachi is a port city of 18 million people that lies on the Arabian Sea. In any given year, it can easily witness more than 1,000 violent deaths.

According to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, 1,138 people have been killed in Karachi in the first six months of this year. Of those, 490 were victims of so-called targeted killings, which are often linked to political, ethnic and sectarian rivalries.

The commission's figures didn't include those reported in recent days.

Relatives wept over the bodies of loved ones in morgues and hospitals Friday. The smell of burning tires wafted through some streets.

"People are stuck at home, their food and rations are running out," Karachi resident Mohammad Shahid said. "Where is the government? Where are the police?"

Many of the killings that began Tuesday appeared linked to political and ethnic turf battles, said Saood Mirza, the Karachi police chief, who also confirmed the latest death toll. Some of Karachi's leading political parties have been formed along ethnic lines.

Authorities have rounded up dozens of suspects, standard practice in such crackdowns in Pakistan. Most of those detained are usually freed for lack of evidence. Around 1,000 members of the Frontier Constabulary, a paramilitary police force, were expected to be deployed to help security.

The MQM party called for a "day of mourning" Friday. That prompted shutdowns across much of the city, with roads and commercial areas largely deserted. However, occasional gunshots could still be heard in some areas, and the police chief said 18 more people were killed.

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Were the Pakistanis originally part of India?

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Originally Posted by Dennis Young:
Were the Pakistanis originally part of India?

i believe so, when they were all under the rule of the brits.