Police in Pakistan have suspended their fight against a criminal gang in the country's biggest city, Karachi, for 48 hours.

The decision is part of an effort by the ruling Pakistani People's Party to force the gang to either negotiate or surrender.

Since fighting began more than a week ago, 40 people have been killed and nearly 80 injured. Many of those killed were innocent civilians living in the city's Lyari slum, where the fighting has been taking place.

Al Jazeera's Imtiaz Tyab reports from Karachi.