Pakistan surveys bomb damage

Shopowners surveyed gutted premises and security forces patrolled nearly empty streets in Pakistan's commercial capital after a suicide bomber killed 32 people and triggered a city-centre riot.

Karachi Mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal said the death toll had risen to 32, with dozens of injured still in hospitals.

"We have arrested some people and are investigating," Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmed said. "According to our initial investigation, the suicide bomber was aged between 18 and 20, and he used 8-9 kilograms of explosives."

He said at least 500 shops and nine buildings had been set ablaze in the aftermath of the attack.

The attack may have just been part of a series of bombings designed to spread panic or an attempt to ignite sectarian violence to pile more pressure on security forces.

The provincial government of Sindh, of which Karachi is the capital, declared a public holiday, though banks and the stock market remained open. Public transport was out of service and most shops and petrol pumps were shut after religious and political parties called for a day of mourning.

"Our office and the whole building is completely burnt. Everything has been destroyed," said Saleem Khan, who runs a car rental business along what is normally a busy road.

A spokesman for the paramilitary rangers, Major Aurang Zeb, said his forces were "on 100% deployment and will take every possible step to maintain peace".

I know it's a huge loss for the families of those who were killed. But what about our families? We are alive and have lost everything," said Muhammad Shams, owner a shop which makes plastic.

A teeming city of 18 million, Karachi has a long history of ethnic and factional violence, although it has been spared the brunt of Taliban attacks over the past couple of years.

Investors have factored in the violence. But sustained troubles could hurt financial markets in an economy in virtual recession. The Stock market opened over 1% lower.