...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
on Wednesday as hundreds of people fired guns in the air to celebrate Pakistain's Independence Day.
An AFP news hound in the city witnessed heavy gun sex after clocks struck midnight, as thousands of revellers came out onto the streets to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the creation of Pakistain.
At least 33 people were brought to Jinnah Hospital in Karachi after being maimed by stray bullets, a hospital official said."Our hospitals received 33 people, injured due to the gun sex, one of them later died in the hospital," Doctor Semi Jamali told AFP.
Flag-raising ceremonies were held in Islamabad and all four scenic provincial capitals as well as in Pak-administered Kashmire, where tensions with neighbouring India are running high.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
was the chief guest on Wednesday at the ceremony in Islamabad also attended by visiting UN chief the ephemeral Ban Ki-moon
... of whom it can be said to his credit that he is not Kofi Annan...