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Police drop terror-related charges against Dr Asim

Islamabad - Court gives ex-minister's custody to NAB to probe graft cases.

An accountability court in Karachi on Friday remanded Dr Asim Hussain, former federal minister and a close confidant of ex-president Asif Ali Zardari, into a 7-day physical custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Dr Asim faces multiple charges of corruption, illegal land acquisition, kickbacks and money laundering.
Earlier, police presented the senior PPP leader before an anti-terrorism court amid tight security. The court handed over Dr Asim to the NAB for questioning in a number of corruption references.
Police produced Dr Asim before the anti-terrorism court where it stated that it was withdrawing all terror-related charges against the former minister.
Police prosecutor Altaf Hussain submitted that terror allegations against Dr Asim could not be proved. The Ranger's counsel contested the police findings. He maintained that the prosecutor who had investigated and collected credible evidence was illegally replaced just four days ago to secure a favourable report. He said the force had proof that terrorists, who had head money on them, were treated in Dr Asim's hospital on his instructions.
Dr Asim was detained by the paramilitary Rangers on August 26 who kept him in their custody for 90 days for interrogation.
His arrest created a stir in national politics evoking strong denunciations by Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah with the latter protesting that his prior approval for arrest was not taken.
The NAB has reportedly launched investigations into references against Dr Asim Hussain for illegal affiliation of colleges with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, issuance of licence for dozens of CNG stations and other corrupt practices.
In his first statement last week before the anti-terrorism court since arrest, Dr Asim levelled serious charges of torture and coercion against Rangers, claiming he was being made a scapegoat to trap somebody else, an apparent reference to former president Asif Zardari. He said he feared for his life, adding that he may be killed in an encounter.
On Friday he again repeated these charges and said he would rather die than succumb to Rangers' coercion.
The case has intensified tensions between the Rangers and the Sindh government which has so far refused to extend the stay and powers of the Rangers for four months which expired last Saturday. The provincial government maintained that it would first seek approval from the Sindh Assembly required by law for such extension. A proposed resolution was, however, not presented in the assembly session on Friday also before it was adjourned till Monday.
The Sindh chief minister and other ministers emphatically oppose Rangers' involvement in probing corruption charges which they say come under political government's domain.
They are of the view that Sindh is being singled out, giving an impression of rampant corruption and incompetence. It is believed that the extension notification will address these concerns.
Dr Asim, along with 27 others, had been accused of facilitating terrorism by providing treatment to terrorists - militants working for political and religious groups - who were injured in encounters with the law enforcers or with rival groups in his hospitals.
news@khaleejtimes.com

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