in the capital Islamabad, President Pervez Musharraf condemned the unrest but laid the blame on Chaudhry and also on the opposition for impeding his supporters in Karachi.

'The main reason for what happened today in Karachi is that a judicial matter was politicised,' said Musharraf, who suspended the judge for alleged abuse of office on March 9, triggering a wave of protests.

'The second reason is that the chief justice travelled there after ignoring the government's warning that his visit would lead to political violence,' he added.

The opposition in turn pointed the finger at the pro-government party, saying the MQM had ignored a request not to stage its rally on the same day.

Former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto condemned the government for creating 'civil war conditions' in thecity.

'The sight of the sons of Pakistan bleeding to death in the streets of Karachi is a shocking insight into the cruelty of the present regime,' Bhutto said in a statement.

Thousands of lawyers and opposition supporters staged repeated demonstrations over Chaudhry's suspension in recent weeks, fuelling a growing political movement against army chief Musharraf, who came to power in a coup in 1999.

But despite the gravity of the situation in Karachi, there was no question of imposing a state of emergency, the president stressed.

'There is absolutely no requirement and absolutely no environment for taking such drastic measures,' Musharraf said in Rawalpindi, promising also to ensure free and fair elections when he seeks a further term later this year.

Regardless of the bloodshed, thousands of people attended the MQM rally