HYDERABAD, Sept 11: Lawyers boycotted courts proceedings across Sindh on Tuesday to condemn the murder of Karachi-based advocate Raja Riaz and storming of the Sindh High Court by a political party’s activists.

Lawyers boycotted proceedings of lower and high courts in Hyderabad in response to a call by Pakistan Bar Council and Sindh Bar Council. The lawyers wore black armbands and staged a protest demonstration on civil courts premises. They also offered prayers for the departed soul.

They held the government responsible for the murder and said that such act could not break the spirit of lawyers. No advocate appeared in court proceedings and cases were adjourned to other dates by judges.

In Sanghar, the lawyers boycotted the court proceedings and observed complete strike.

President of District Bar Association (DBA) Anwar Mehmood Nizamani alleged that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has been acting on the instructions of agencies.

He severely criticised President General Pervez Musharraf and said that the president has transformed the agencies into “Gestapo” and the MQM was doing what the Nazis had done for Hitler.

He said the lawyers’ community also condemn the enforced exile of former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif but today’s strike was against the killing of the lawyer and storming of SHC by the MQM activists.

In Mirpurkhas DBA members boycotted the court proceedings. A meeting of the DBA was held under the chairmanship of president Salahuddin Panhwar. The meeting announced donation of Rs50,000 as aid for the heirs of deceased lawyer.

Lawyers also boycotted court proceedings in Umerkot and in lower courts of Digri, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Pithoro, Samaro and Kunri talukas.

The boycott was also witnessed in Naushahro Feroze, Kandiaro, Moro and Bhirya.

In Khairpur lawyers boycotted court proceedings and held condolence and protest meetings. A condolence meeting presided over by president of the People’s Lawyers Forum Sukkur region, Liaquat Shar, was held.

It termed the murder a target killing and through a resolution demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.

The meeting condemned the storming of Sindh High Court by the MQM activists during the hearing of the case of May 12 incident, and termed it a ploy to disturb the court proceedings.

The DBA Khairpur also held a condolence meeting which was presided over by its president Pir Bachal Shah Jilani. A large number of lawyers attended the meeting.

Lawyers boycotted court proceedings in Dadu, Johi, Mehar, Sehwan, Kotri and Nawabshah also.