ISLAMABAD, Sept 7: The federal government on Thursday lost a legal battle when the Supreme Court dismissed its appeal by upholding Balochistan High Court’s ruling over the rescinding of arms licences of Balochistan National Party leader Akhtar Mengal by the government.

A two-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, directed the high court to dispose of pending litigation between the parties in a month.

The high court is still seized with the dispute between Mr Mengal and the government over latter’s decision to cancel arms licences issued to the former Balochistan chief minister.

The federal government has come into appeal against a July 18 order of the high court, suspending operation of the notification of revoking the arms licences.

In the appeal, the government stated that Mr Mengal was involved in abduction of law-enforcement agencies personnel and keeping them in illegal confinement in his Karachi house.

Moreover, a number of cases had been registered against Mr Mengal and the government, on account of information and material available to it, found that he was guilty of violation of law, the appeal said.

Due to his activities, Mr Mengal was considered by the government as a threat to peace and law and order situation in the country, it added.

The arms licences were cancelled by the federal and government on April 5 and the provincial government followed the suit by passing a similar order the same day.

Mr Mengal filed a petition before the high court on May 10, without availing the right of appeal provided to him under section 12 (2) of the Pakistan Arms Ordinance 1965, the appeal contended.