General Strike Called After Violent Clashes In Pakistan

A nationwide strike has been called for today in Pakistan, after violence over the weekend left 40 dead in Karachi, the Financial Times reports. Pressure is mounting against military rule by President Pervez Musharraf. "We want to demonstrate that this country is unanimous in opposing the government," said a leader of the alliance of six Islamic opposition parties. 

Violent clashes have been escalating since Musharraf suspended the chief justice of Pakistan's supreme court, triggering outrage among Pakistan's lawyers and jurists. Street violence in Karachi has been put down by the army, but observers say the army might not support Musharraf if unrest spread to Lahore, home of many soldiers families. (More Pakistan stories.)