SHC rejects plea to shift Dr Asim for medical treatement

Karachi
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday rejected a petition seeking Dr Asim Hussain’s hospitalisation, after he was sent on a 90-day preventive detention last week.
However, the concerned Rangers personnel were directed to conduct Dr Hussain’s medical tests, including an MRI in the presence of his spouse or daughter.
Dr Hussain, a close aide of former President and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, was detained by the paramilitary force allegedly for financing terrorist groups, ‘china-cutting’ and other cases pertaining to corruption.
Hussain’s spouse, Dr Zarina Hussain, had filed an application with the chief justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Faisal Arab, for providing medical facilities to Dr Hussain. The application was later converted into an official petition.
The petitioner submitted that Dr Hussain was suffering from a serious ailment and required urgent medical attention in a proper medical facility.
Petitioner’s counsel Abid Zuberi submitted the detainee was suffering from brain tumour and a patient of hypertension and had been suggested proper medical attention at a hospital.
He submitted the detainee had also been examined by doctors of the Ziauddin Hospital, who had also suggested his health to be properly monitored.
Additional attorney general, SalmanTalibuddin, submitted the detainee was not in a hospital at the time of his arrest; however, he was continuously being monitored by the doctor and medical staff at the Rangers’ detention centre.
He claimed the detainee’s ailment could be treated through medication which was being provided to him regularly. He also assured the court of Dr Hussain being provided with proper medical treatment or surgery at the Civil hospital, if need be.
Rangers counsel Habib Ahmed also maintained the detainee was regularly being monitored by the doctor and medical staff, whereas all medical facilities were being provided to him. His medical tests had also been conducted at the Aga Khan hospital.
The SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah also turned down the petitioners request to review Dr Hussain’s detention, ordering him to file a separate petition if he desired to challenge the order.