GILGIT, March 23: The Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan has commuted the death sentence of two persons involved in killing of two Czech nationals to life imprisonment, court officials said.

After hearing arguments of lawyers for the two accused, Mir Ahmed and Dolat Shah, the apex court set aside the decision of the lower courts and converted their death sentence into life imprisonment.

Earlier, the high court had upheld the sessions court decision of awarding death sentence to the accused.

The court officials said that two Czech nationals Peter Polasek and Gubicova were killed at Gupis point of Ghizer district about two years ago. BY-ELECTIONS: The Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan has directed the Election Commission to hold by-elections according to the original schedule on March 30.

The EC had postponed the by-elections in the constituency GB-19 from March 30 to April 30. Court officials said that one candidate Karim Khan moved a writ petition against the EC decision and pleaded that the postponement was based on mala fide intentions.

After hearing arguments, the court asked the EC to hold by-polls according to old schedule on March 30.

TWO KILLED: Two labourers were killed and one was injured in Chilas when a boulder from mountain fell on them, police said.

They said that three labourers were excavating stones under a mountain for crushing when a heavy boulder fell and buried them. Local volunteers started rescue operation and recovered bodies of two labours and rescued the third one alive.

PAKISTAN DAY: Like other parts of the country, Pakistan Day was observed with enthusiasm throughout Gilgit-Baltistan.

Special prayers were offered in mosques for the solidarity and integrity of the country. Besides, functions were organised by social, political and religious organisations to mark the day in a befitting manner and highlight the importance of the day.