Minister writes to NAB to allow Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman to meet his critically-ill brother

ISLAMABAD: After Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari’s letter to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman for allowing Geo/ Jang Group’s Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman to meet his critically ill brother, the anti-graft body’s head granted him one day’s permission to visit his elder brother who is currently admitted to the hospital. However, due to some procedural impediments NAB chairman’s directive could not be implemented on Monday.

The accountability bureau Monday issued a press release allowing Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman to visit his brother Mir Javed Rahman. However, NAB chairman’s orders were not implemented. The NAB Lahore authorities have informed the family of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman verbally that they still need accountability court to give approval. The authorities, however, assured that the anti-graft body will not oppose it before the court. The family then approached the accountability judge for the court’s permission. However, he had left for home and the family was informed to appear before the court today (Tuesday).

It is important to note here that Mir Javed Rahman — elder brother of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is a cancer patient and is currently on ventilator. He has been diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, stage 4. Keeping in view the health condition of Mir Javed Rahman, thefamily of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman approached the authorities concerned in the government as well as NAB and requested for granting permission to meet his only brother who is fighting for his life.

During the last few days, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman’s family approached Director General (DG) NAB Lahore, Federal Minister for Human Rights, and requested them for allowing him to meet his brother who is critically ill and currently on ventilator. After these humanitarian appeals, the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari wrote the letter to the NAB chairman.

Dr Mazari in her letter addressed to Chairman NAB says, “We have been informed by Mir Ibrahim, son of Mir Shakil ur Rahman that his uncle Mir Javed Rahman is critically ill and that his father may be allowed to see his brother. Without seeking to, or even seeming to, interfere in any way with the independence of NAB, as Minister for Human Rights I would request you to consider not opposing a 48-hour parole for Mir Shakil ur Rahman to allow him to see his critically ill brother as his case for bail come up before the LHC.

“Our Prime Minister had always taught us in PTI to never forget the humanitarian aspects of issues, and continues to remind us of this today. There have been precedences in the past when NAB has given parole for a limited time period on humanitarian grounds and I would appeal to you to consider doing the same in this case. Our religion Islam teaches us to be humane and our Constitution places great emphasis on human rights. I would be failing in my responsibilities as a Minister for Human Rights if I did not make this humanitarian appeal to you,” writes Dr Mazari in her letter.

Later, NAB issued a press release and allowed Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman for one day to go to Karachi and see his critically ill brother.

“National Accountability Bureau has granted permission to Mir Shakil ur Rahman on humanitarian ground to meet his brother Mir Javed Rahman who is critically ill. Mir Shakil ur Rahman can visit his ailing brother in Karachi for one day. But he will remain in NAB custody during this period. It is up to the court whether it grants him bail or not during the remand. The accused or his family can approach the concerned court for transit remand,” the NAB statement says.

It is also worth mentioning that the South City Hospital Karachi where Mir Javed Rahman is currently admitted for his treatment has written a letter on March 24 and requested the authorities concerned that Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman should be allowed to visit his sick brother in the hospital, if this could be done within the limits of law on compassionate and humanitarian basis.

“Mir Javed Rehman is brother of Mir Shakeel Rehman. Mr Javed recently has been diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer, stage 4. He also has other comorbidities including COPD, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and deep vein thrombosis legs. Currently Mr Javed is admitted in the ICU and is critically ill. Mr Javed has bilateral (double) pneumonia and respiratory failure. There is high probability that Mr Javed require intubation and respiratory support in near future. He is also immune compromised due to his cancer medication making him very high risk for serious complications including untimely death,” the City Hospital’s letter says.

Jang Group's legal team says, "No parole can be effective unless a written order is passed by Chairman NAB and concurrence is given by Accountability court which is sought by NAB itself. Press releases is good for the press but we need a formal order."

When contacted the NAB spokesperson said, the accountability bureau has already clarified its position in the press release.