Dr Asim Hussain remanded into Rangers custody for 90 days

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court in Karachi remanded former petroleum minister and Sindh Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman Dr Asim Hussain into Rangers custody for 90 days.

The former federal minister was picked up from his office the previous day and taken to an undisclosed location for questioning. He was later transferred into the custody of Rangers personnel, who presented him in the ATC today under strict security.

A lawyer for the Rangers told the court that the suspect is being investigated for alleged involvement in money-laundering, 'china-cutting', and illegally issuing licenses for unlawful CNG stations across Sindh.

The judge accepted the Rangers plea for a 90-day detention of the former minister and remanded him into their custody. Dr Asim will be held a detention centre at the Karachi central jail.

Dr Asim, who also owns a private medical university and hospital in Karachi, is considered a close aide of former president and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari. He was appointed as the federal minister for petroleum during the PPP government in 2008, during which he was accused of corruption in the LNG and LPG deals and indiscriminately issuing licenses for CNG stations.

Family challenges arrest in SHC

Meanwhile, the former minister’s family filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) challenging his detention.

The petition, filed by Aijaz Fatima, the mother of Dr Asim, argues that the former minister is not wanted in any case. It states that Dr Asim is willing to cooperate in investigation if any accusation is leveled against him.

Earlier, Dr Asim’s wife Dr Zareen Hussain wrote a letter to the Inspector-General (IG) Sindh Police, asking to be informed of her husband’s whereabouts and condition. The letter was sent earlier when Rangers had not officially confirmed Dr Asim’s arrest.

The letter stated that Dr Asim is a chronic patient of diabetes and hypertension and requires constant medical care.

According to sources, authorities have now given permission to family members to meet Dr Asim at the Mitha Ram hostel in Karachi, where he was taken before being shifted to the detention centre at the Karachi central jail.