Gangs torched vehicles and a shop in Pakistan’s largest city today after a senior politician from the local ruling party was stabbed to death in London.

The largest city in Pakistan came to a near-halt today amid fears of violence after the murder in London of a senior politician from Karachi’s ruling party.

Allies of president Pervez Musharraf withdrew their candidate for Pakistan’s prime minister as a “good will gesture” to followers of murdered opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, who said they would announce their choice for the job later today.

Gun battles and attacks killed at least 11 people and wounded dozens today as Pakistan’s political crisis descended into violence between rival parties over President Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s suspension of the chief justice.