MUZAFFARGARH, July 5: Like other parts of the country, various political and religious parties condemned the Lal Masjid operation with the PPP taking a cautious stance on the issue here on Thursday.

PPP secretary-general Zubaidul Islam Khan Sherwani said both the government and the Lal Masjid administration should show responsibility to resolve the conflict as use of force from either side would complicate the matters. He termed the incident a total breakdown of law and order.

Mr Sherwani said the Jamia Hafsa episode had tarnished the country’s image in the comity of nations.

PML-N secretary-general Malik Ghulam Mustafa Khar said if the rulers tried to declare emergency on the pretext of the Lal Masjid saga, the people would take to streets and oust them.

He was of the view that the incident had increased the importance of the multi-party conference (MPC) in London and opposition parties should be united to take crucial decisions.

Jamaat-i-Islami district amir Umar Draz Farooqi also deplored the Lal Masjid episode and expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Dr AQ Khan.

GUJRANWALA: Activists of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) and other religious parties held a protest procession here on Thursday against the government for attacking Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa by gunship helicopters.