Summary The counsel for the defendant talked to Kamran Khan in his programme on Dunya TV
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday has sent former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain, accused of terror sheltering to jail on judicial remand granted until December 30.
Dr Asim’s wife was not allowed to enter the court premises. The accused will be presented before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on December 23. However, the court stated Dr Asim would remain in NAB’s custody in money laundering case until his physical remand expires.
Dr Asim pleaded the court to not hand him over to NAB however, the court stated whatever happened to him is in the past. He could be sent to jail instead, he added.
The ATC on December 21 had rejected Sindh Police’s report in Dr Asim’s case that declared the accused innocent and freed him of all charges.
Know more: ATC rejects investigation report that had cleared Dr Asim of charges
Anwar Mansoor, counsel for the defendant on Monday vowed to approach the Sindh High Court (SHC) against anti-terrorism court’s (ATC) verdict.
Mansoor said that Pakistan Rangers forged the record. He is receiving threats for defending an innocent, he added. He alleged the Rangers of forging record hauled from Ziauddin Hospital.
While talking to Kamran Khan in His programme ‘Dunya Kamran Khan Kay Sath’, Mansoor demanded the authorities to register a case against forgery. The verdict of the special anti-terrorism court was disappointing, he added.
He further said that Medical Aid Act permits treatment of any injured while sidelining the legal matters.
Earlier on December 21, a special ATC had rejected Sindh Police’s report in Dr Asim case. The police had given a clean chit to the terror accused while Rangers continued fight for his indictment. The paramilitary force wants to nab the alleged culprit despite Sindh government’s alleged protection.
Administrative judge of the ATCs Justice Naimatullah Phalphuto had heard the case on Monday.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari’s close person, Dr Asim is accused of treating terrorists and target killers in his hospital on request of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) members.
Rangers were given special powers in September 2013 to curb crime and terror in Karachi. Recently, the Sindh government seemed reluctant to extend Rangers’ powers however, demonstrations by the locals and opposition parties forced the government to pass a conditional resolution. Rangers policing powers were extended conditionally by 60 days.
The federation rejected the conditional extension. Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar in a media talk on December 16 had said that exclusive powers were given to Pakistan Rangers under the Pakistan Protection Ordinance.
