identifiers in Highlight feature ignore /echo

It is known/documented that you can use custom identifiers with mirc's highlight feature, something like $mytest

Code:

alias mytest { return VALUE }

These execute as regular aliases and can have any command in them:

Code:

alias mytest { join #somechannel | return VALUE }

Unfortunately, the /echo command doesnt seem to work when called from the highlight feature:

Code:

alias mytest { echo -a hi | window @itworks! | return VALUE }

It's not an issue with connection id's or the active window:

Code:

alias mytest { echo -s hi | scid -a echo -s hi | window @itworks! | return VALUE }

This could hurt the ability to debug scripts running from the highlight feature, as well as functionality of them (yes yes theres no reason to echo on highlight-- or is there?)