IHC orders new medical board to examine Zardari

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed the PIMS hospital to constitute new medical board to examine ailing Asif Ali Zardari and sought reply from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on bail plea of the former president on medical grounds in fake account reference.

An IHC division bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aamir Farooq took up the petition of Asif Ali Zardari seeking bail on medical grounds in Fake bank account reference.

During hearing, Justice Athar Minallah inquire from Zardari’s counsel whether any medical board had been constituted previously, or they had any fresh medical report. Zardari’s counsel Farooq H Naek replied that his client had been suffering from multiple diseases, including related to the heart. He told the court that Punjab government had previously formed a medical board to examine the health of Asif Zardari. Justice Minallah remarked that then the court would direct the head of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) to form a medical board. Farooq H Naek also requested the bench to make the personal doctor of Asif Zardari as part of this medical report which was allowed by the court. The court directed the PIMS hospital to constitute a new medical board to examine health condition of Asif Ali Zardari and adjourned the hearing till December 11. Former president Asif Ali Zardari has approached the Islamabad High Court seeking bail on medical grounds in money laundering through fake bank accounts reference. Asif Ali Zardari, in his petition, stated that he is suffering from heart ailment and three stents are already placed in his body. “Zardari is suffering from diabetes and there is need to constantly monitor his blood sugar levels. Medical reports of Asif Ali Zardari are also attached with his petition. Accountability Court No 2 has been made respondents in the bail plea. Asif Ali Zardari has requested the Islamabad High Court to grant him bail on medical grounds.

Currently Asif Ali Zardari is under treatment at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). He agreed to file a bail plea on medical grounds at the insistence of his family members. Former president Asif Ali Zardari surrendered himself to the NAB team after the Islamabad High Court rejected his pre-arrest bail plea in money laundering case.