Lahore (Capital of Punjab) Bar Association had invited Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) to address the lawyers of Punjab over the telephone from London on 24^th. February 1999. The Bar Association had requested the MQM to send a technician, who could connect the telephone with the microphones and loudspeakers, said the Members of the Co-ordination Committee of the MQM.

The Members of the Co-ordination Committee said that Jamil Ahmed was the Chief Technician and was due to fly to Lahore to make the necessary arrangements.

On 23^rd. February 1999, at around 4.30 p.m. (Pakistan Time) uniformed and plain clothed personnel of Azizabad Police Station led by the SHO (Station House Officer) Ghazanfar Kazmi raided the Khurshid Memorial Hall, part of the Head Office of the MQM, generally known as "Nine Zero". The raiding Police arrested Jamil Ahmed, who was putting the equipment together in preparation to fly to Lahore, said the Members of the Co-ordination Committee.

The Members of the Co-ordination Committee said that according to the eyewitnesses, the raiding police, from the moment of arrests, was brutally kicking and beating him. They were dragging him to their mobile vehicle by pulling his hair.

Jamil Ahmed was brutally tortured in custody, while his whereabouts was kept unknown for several days. Amongst many methods of torture used included, injecting with petrol and "cheera". He was transferred to jail custody on 2^nd. March 1999, said the Members of the Co-ordination Committee.

With profound sadness and grief, the Members of the Co-ordination Committee said that today, on 11^th. March 1999, Jamil Ahmed fell unconscious in jail. He was taken to the Karachi Civil Hospital where he succumbed to his injury. According to the doctors, the death occurred due to the renal failures that resulted due to brutal torture of the State while in custody of police.

The Members of the Co-ordination Committee appealed to the people to remain calm and exercise restraints and demanded of the President of Pakistan, Mr Rafiq Ahmed Tarar, Chief of the Army Staff, General Pervaiz Musharraf and the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Ajmal Mian to institute an independent Judicial Enquiry consisting of a Supreme Court Judge to enquire into this custodial death that could give exemplary punishment to the perpetrators.