KARACHI, Feb 10: The Sindh High Court disposed of a petition in respect of the judicial custody of former Balochistan chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal on Thursday in terms of an assurance given by the advocate-general.

AG Mansoor Anwar Khan, according to the order passed by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Faisal Arab, undertook that the detainee ‘will be treated in accordance with the Prisons Rules, particularly in respect of home meals and bedding. He will also be provided all medical treatment, including the services of specialists. Surveillance over him will only be kept in accordance with the Prisons Act and Rules and there will no interference from any other agency’. No particular agency was named in the court order.

Finding the jail trial notification valid, the bench said public entry can be restricted by the trial court under section 21 of the Anti-Terrorist Act but by a reasoned order.