QUETTA, May 18: A division bench of the Balochistan High Court has dismissed the appeal of five accused sentenced to life imprisonment and fine in drug cases and upheld the verdict of the trial courts.

The division bench comprising Justice Akhtar Zaman Malghani and Justice Nadir Khan Durani here on Tuesday did not accept the submissions of the appellant praying to set aside the judgment of the lower court.

Special Judge of the Anti-Narcotics Court Turbat had sentenced Muhammad Khalid, Muhammad Khan, Elahi Bakhsh, and Muhammad Afzal to life imprisonment and fine of Rs100,000 each after the prosecution had proved that law enforcement agencies had recovered hashish and opium from the accused.

Similarly Anti-Narcotics Court Judge Pishin had convicted Muhammad Gul to life in prison and Rs100,000 after drugs were recovered from him.

Office-bearers: Arbab Mohammad Jahangir and Sharafat Abbas were elected as president and general secretary of the Academic Staff Association of Balochistan University respectively.