Traders rampage at Karachi stock exchange

In Pakistan, trading has been halted for the day on the Karachi Stock Exchange after hundreds of dealers went on the rampage in protest against the introduction of a computerised trading system.

The dealers smashed up parts of the building and attacked stock exchange officials.

Correspondents say the dealers managed to prevent police entering the premises before the authorities were able to regain control.

The traders are concerned that the new computer system will lead to redundancies.

The head of the stock exchange, Shahid Gaffor, said the violence had been unfortunate but insisted that the new system would still be set up.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service