Dr Asim Hussain. PHOTO: FILE
Former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain, who has been in Rangers custody over terror-funding charges, was admitted to a hospital on Tuesday.
Hussain was taken to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) at around 2am after he complained of chest pain. Diagnostic tests indicated he had increased levels of creatinine and urea up to 1.6mg and 36mg, respectively. Hospital sources said the former petroleum minister had suffered a mild heart attack. Doctors recommended an angiography, but it was deferred until test reports indicated normalcy.
The sources said blood samples would be collected on Wednesday (today) for further tests and necessary treatment.
Hussain, a close confidante of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Zardari and the chairman of Sindh Higher Education Commission, is said to be in a stable condition now but will remain at the hospital for a few more days. Paramilitary soldiers have been deputed outside the private ward where Hussain is admitted. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah accompanied by Information Minister Nisar Khuhro also visited the PPP leader at the NICVD to inquire after his health, and asked the hospital director to provide the best facilities to Hussain.
In a statement, former president Asif Ali Zardari also expressed concern over the deteriorating health of his friend and called for providing him the best medical care. He said that grilling Hussain on unsubstantiated charges of terrorism and abetting militants was a misuse of administrative, investigative and judicial processes.
Court order
The Sindh High Court has, meanwhile, directed the Rangers doctors to ensure the senior politician is not discharged from the hospital until his condition improves to their satisfaction.
A division bench headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah also directed the additional attorney general to submit a report by the Rangers doctors on Hussain’s health condition by Wednesday. The application was filed by Dr Zareen Hussain, the wife of the PPP leader, seeking contempt proceedings against the Rangers Abdullah Shah Gazi sector commander for allegedly not providing medical facilities to her husband despite court orders.
The paramilitary force detained Hussain on August 26 on charges of alleged terror-financing, land misappropriation and awarding illegal licences to CNG stations during his stint as the petroleum minister.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2015.
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