ANOTHER SIGN THAT PAKISTAN ("POCHKISTAHN" AS OBAMA SAYS IT) IS FAST BECOMING A FAILED STATE...

... AND IF THE STATE FAILS, IT WOULD ONLY BENEFIT THE ISLAMISTS:

BBC: At least 34 people have been killed since Monday in the latest bout of ethnically fuelled violence in Pakistan's southern city of Karachi.

Officials said 11 people were shot dead on Tuesday, while 23 had been killed the previous day.

Targeted killings and clashes claimed more than 200 lives in Karachi in July.

Armed groups supported by Pakistan's main political parties are said to be responsible. Police officials say the groups are controlled by criminals.

But critics say that Pakistan's ruling coalition appears unwilling to bring them to account.

MAYBE EVERYONE WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF MUSHARRAF WAS BACK?