January 09, 2007	Tuesday	Zilhaj 18, 1427

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KARACHI, Jan 8: Defence counsel for former Balochistan chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal moved bail application on Monday for his client in the army men hostage-taking case.

Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch of the ATC-5, who is conducting the proceedings inside the Central Prison, issued notice to special public prosecutor Mazhar Qayyum for hearing the arguments on January 20 on the bail application, filed by defence counsel Raza Hashmi.

The arrest of former Balochistan chief minister in the case was effected on December 24, 2006.

Meanwhile, the judge heard arguments of the defence and prosecution attorneys on the application seeking better class for the former chief minister in jail.

The defence counsel for Mengal submitted before the court that his client was entitled to a better class in the prison as he was a former chief minister of Balochistan and a landlord.

Prosecutor Mazhar Qayyum, however, argued that the defence had not placed on the court’s record any relevant document in support of their contention.

He said as per law an under-trial prisoner was entitled to ‘B’ class of the jail if he was a graduate and a taxpayer.

The judge directed the defence counsel to place on record the relative documents on January 20.