KARACHI, Jan 9: The report in daily Dawn dated January 9, 2007 that ‘HRCP says Mengal kept in iron cage’ is not based on facts, according to government spokesman Nishat Ahmad Khan.

Akhtar Mengal’s trial is being conducted in jail on the request of police and Home Department, Sindh, for safety of his life as he has old enmity and simmering disputes in his home district Khuzdar, the spokesman said on Tuesday.

The court, he said, has allowed meeting of his counsel, uncle, son and wife since the day he was remanded in judicial custody. His trial is being conducted by ATC-V in a criminal case in which four of his colleagues have already been convicted.

On Jan 8, according to the spokesman, Mr Iqbal Haider intruded into court without permission and requested the court that trial be conducted in the presence of HRCP observers, which the judge agreed to consider. The judge, however, commented that lawyers should not become spokesmen outside in the press.

Akhtar Mengal is being kept in a room where he is regularly meeting his family members, the spokesman added.