KARACHI, March 17: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has condemned the action of Punjab police on lawyers in Lahore and termed it a barbaric, inhuman and unconstitutional incident.

In a statement issued from London on Saturday, the convenor of MQM’s Coordination Committee, Dr Imran Farooq, said that Punjab Police raided the lawyers’ convention, which was being held in the premises of Lahore High Court on Saturday, tortured them and lobbed teargas shells inside the court premises. He said the police attack was contempt of court. He warned that use of force could further deteriorate the situation.

He appealed to President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to stop using the state’s power and take stern action against those responsible for the Lahore incident.

He also appealed to lawyers to control their sentiments and play their role in stabilising the situation.