Consider forming cross-provincial medical board for Dr Asim, SC observes

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court directed Dr Asim Hussain’s counsel on Friday to consider forming a cross-provincial medical board to determine his client’s 'need' for having surgery abroad.

The three-member bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, was hearing Dr Asim’s plea to remove his name from the exit control list (ECL) as well as a petition by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) requesting cancellation of his bail.

Pakistan Peoples Party Karachi President Dr Asim — out on bail in cases of corruption and terrorism — has requested the court to allow him to travel out of the country for back surgery.

During the hearing, NAB prosecutor Nasir Mughal informed the court that till now 10 medical boards have been formed to determine Dr Asim’s health. He said no doctor is willing to recommend anything against Dr Asim. 

Mughal said whenever a suspect goes abroad on medical grounds, he does not return. Referring indirectly to former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf, he said “one leader went abroad on a wheelchair and then was seen dancing”.

The NAB prosecutor opposed issuing of bail on health 'issues'.

Dr Asim’s counsel, Sardar Latif Khosa, said everything that his client has faced in the case is nothing short of a nightmare.

Justice Ejaz commented that any prisoner would complain of the same ailments as Dr Asim’s if the government forms a medical board for them. The poor prisoners are not event taken to hospitals for treatment, he observed.

"Everyone is a patient of tension and depression,” he observed further.

Khosa wondered how the state can be so heartless when it comes to someone’s health, saying “only till the suspect is alive is a trial possible”.

The bench issued notices to the relevant authorities over NAB’s petition demanding cancellation of Dr Asim’s bail and directed for consideration of forming a medical board with representation from all the provinces instead of just Sindh, as the provincial government has been handling everything related to him so far.

The hearing was adjourned till July 20. 

Dr Asim petitions Supreme Court for return of passport

Corruption, terror facilitation suspect's plea to remove name from ECL has been rejected by SHC already

Dr Asim — a former federal minister and close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari — faces trial in two cases of alleged corruption of over Rs450 billion and another of allegedly facilitating and treating terrorists at his medical facility — Dr Ziauddin Hospital.

He was released from the sub-jail at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre in Karachi on March 31 this year after obtaining bail in all the cases lodged against him. 

He was initially arrested by the Rangers in August 2015 and then transferred into police custody.