Dr Asim’s remand extended

KARACHI: An Accountability Court (AC) on Monday extended for the third time the physical remand of Dr. Asim Hussain for 10 days after he was produced by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) authorities before the court after the expiry of the previous remand period.

Earlier, the investigation officer (IO) prayed to the court to extend the remand for a period of 14 days as some matters of alleged corruption remained un-interrogated and it needed further interrogation.

The court was also presented with the medical report (MRI report) on behalf of NAB that showed that Dr Asim Husain was medically fit and injuries on his legs were not serious. The counsel for Dr Asim rejected the stance of NAB, saying that they desired an extension of physical remand of Dr Asim which was not justified.

The attorneys argued that the court had already given sufficient time for completion of interrogation, and now Dr Asim Hussain should be sent to a private hospital instead of granting further physical remand.

The attorneys alleged that NAB was extending the case without any legal reasons. The court while taking into account Dr Asim’s plea to admit him to a private hospital said that he should have been admitted to such a hospital only if the doctor concerned had advised to do so.

  The court deemed it fit to extend the period of physical remand for 10 days and directed the IO to produce the former federal minister and a central leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Dr Asim Hussain, again after the expiration of the period of 10 days’ physical remand.