Pakistani city roads blocked over judge; two killed

KARACHI, May 12 (Reuters) Many roads in the Pakistani city of Karachi were blocked today in an apparent bid to disrupt a rally by the country's suspended chief justice as an opposition party supporting the judge said two activists were killed.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, who the government suspended on March 9 over undisclosed charges of misconduct, was due to fly into Karachi from Islamabad at around 1200 hrs and address lawyers at the city-centre High Court.

The pro-government Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) that runs Karachi was holding a rival demonstration in Pakistan's biggest city against Chaudhry and what it calls the political tricks of his supporters.

The government's suspension of Chaudhry has outraged the judiciary and the opposition and has blown up into the most serious challenge to President Pervez Musharraf's authority since he seized power in 1999.

Senior city police officer Mushtaq Shah said he did not know who had parked trucks and buses and placed containers across roads, virtually sealing of the airport, the High Court and much of the city centre.

But a government official, who declined to be identified, said authorities had blocked the roads in the interests of maintaining order. Authorities had suggested that Chaudhry travel from the airport into the city by helicopter, he said.

''We're trying to make sure the chief justice arrives safely.

There's every likelihood he will face problems,'' he said.

Today has been declared a public holiday in Karachi because of the rallies and streets were largely deserted.

A spokesman for the opposition party of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said two activists were shot dead in an attack on a party office. Police said at least three people were wounded in other shootings.

About 2,500 MQM activists surrounded the High Court, witnesses said. They chanted slogans and beat several lawyers trying to get in. Hundreds of flag-waving MQM workers also gathered outside the airport, another witness said.

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