QUETTA: Machh Jail Superintendent Muhammad Ishaq Zehri confirmed that jail authorities have received the order from presidency regarding the postponement of Saulat Mirza’s execution for one month.

"The execution (of Saulat Mirza) has been postponed for a month," Zehri told DawnNews after receiving orders from presidency.

Earlier, preparations had been finalised for executing Mirza, a former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker convicted in a triple murder case, as per the new black warrants on April 1 at 5.30 am.

"Saulat will be hanged on April 1 as per the fresh black warrants," the officer had said.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi had issued fresh black warrants following the postponement of the death row convict's execution. Mirza was originally scheduled to be hanged on March 19.

Read more: ATC reissues death warrants for Saulat Mirza, to be hanged on April 1

President Mamnoon Hussain had extended Mirza's execution after a video surfaced barely hours before his hanging in which Mirza had hurled accusations at the top MQM leadership.

Examine: Killed KESC chief on Altaf Hussain's orders, Saulat Mirza claims

Last week, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had sent a summary to President Mamnoon recommending a one-month extension for Mirza's execution.

Take a look: PM asks president to postpone Saulat Mirza's execution for 30 days

However, the jail administration denied receiving a fresh extension order from the Presidency.

Security in and around Machh Jail has been tightened as the high-profile prisoner is set to be hanged, he said.

Besides police, Balochistan Constabulary, Rapid Response Force, personnel of Frontier Corps have also been patrolling around the jail to avert any terror attack, the officer added.

Mirza was found guilty of murdering then managing director (MD) of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), now K-electric, Malik Shahid Hamid, his driver Ashraf Brohi, and his guard Khan Akbar outside Hamid's residence in Karachi's DHA on July 5, 1997.

Black warrants of five convicts

Balochistan Home Department issued black warrants of five convicted prisoners on Monday, who will be executed within a week at Central Jail Machh Balochistan. These hangings are the first to take place in the province since 2007, following the lifting of moratorium on death penalties by present government.

The date of execution will be fixed by the Machh Jail superintendent, an officer of the Home Department told DawnNews. The prisoners whose black warrants were issued have been identified as Mir Hamza, Ali Gul, Meero, Zaman and Muhammad Ismail.