KARACHI, Aug 17: The Sindh High Court on Thursday directed the federal law officer to explain position after receiving a definite reply from the interior and foreign ministries regarding detention of Al-Qa'eda leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammad by the Pakistani government.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the sister of Al-Qa'eda leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammad seeking production of her brother before the court, contending he was still detained by the federal agencies.

Ms Marium insisted that the detainee is still in custody of the federal government and the authorities concerned are not producing him before the court deliberately.

The clarification has been sought by the court about the detention of petitioner's brother from concerned authorities.

Standing counsel Ms Sofia Saeed submitted that letters were issued to concerned ministries for ascertaining the clarification about the detention but so far no definite reply has been received and the same is still awaited.

She sought further time to submit a definite statement.

SHC's division bench comprising Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Justice Ali Sain Dino Metlo directed federal law officer to inform court about the actual position as to whether detainees were arrested by LEAs.—PPI