KARACHI, Dec 15: Balochistan National Party chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s guard, driver and two other employees have moved an appeal against their conviction and punishment by an anti-terrorism court for kidnapping and beating up two army personnel in April.

The former chief minister was declared absconder in the case.

The appellants submitted that the army havildar and lance naik they were alleged to have mistreated had been chasing the ex-CM’s vehicles and harassing his children and a case lodged against them was still pending. They could not have performed intelligence and surveillance duties in a civilian locality under the Army Act. There was no independent witness and the conviction and life term awarded to them was not sustainable in law.

NOTICE TO AG: Justice Azizullah M. Memon issued notices to the advocate-general and a judicial magistrate of district South in an application challenging issuance of non-bailable warrants for the arrest of three minors in a theft case.

Ms Farzana, who has been granted pre-arrest bail in the case, alleged through Advocate Akhtar Jamal that she and her sons have been implicated in a bogus theft case registered in November 2005. The case is awaiting trial since and the police have failed to submit a final charge-sheet but the trial court of magistrate has declared the minor ‘absconders’ and issued non-bailable warrants for their arrest. The counsel said the case fell within the purview of the juvenile law and the future of the minors would be ruined if they were arrested and proceeded against.