KARACHI, Feb 8: The Sindh High Court allowed the doctor brothers' wives on Tuesday to amend their petition to challenge the latest detention order. The petition was reserved for announcement of judgment by a division bench on Jan 25.

Meanwhile, a new detention order was issued by the home secretary and the petitioners' counsel, Mohammad Ilyas Khan, finally sought amendment to the petition. The bench, which comprises Justices Ataur Rahman and Zia Pervez, granted the request.

The petitioners' plea for stay of their spouses' trial in the corps commander's ambush case, along with Jundullah activists, was, however, rejected. In another application questioning the viewing of a video film on the alleged activities of Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed, the bench issued a notice to Advocate-General Anwar Mansoor Khan for Feb 11.

Advocate Ilyas Khan said the bench could not have entertained the evidence, least of all in the absence of the petitioners' counsel. He had no idea of the material the film was based on and could not question its contents.

The film was shown to the bench by the AG, who is contesting the petition. He said the film was confidential and the government could not allow its public viewing. It also featured other activists of the banned militant outfits and its exhibition would harm the campaign against terrorism, the AG submitted before presenting the film to the bench.