Dr Asim’s remand in NAB custody extended by a week

NAB presents report of initial probe against PPP leader in illegal appointments and award of contracts in SSGC cases

KARACHI: An accountability court in Karachi extended on Thursday the remand of former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain over his alleged role in illegal appointments and award of contracts in the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).

The ex-petroleum minister and Sindh Higher Education Commission chairman was handed over to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) till December 23 after the accountability body requested his custody for further investigation.



The NAB produced the initial investigation report of Dr Asim before the accountability court as during his last appearance Justice Muhammad Saeed Qureshi directed the NAB’s investigation officer to present the suspect in court on December 17 along with a charge-sheet.

Earlier, before he was produced in the court the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader showed his legs to media bearing scars of injuries which, according to him, he suffered due to heavy medication. He maintained that he cannot walk properly and falls every time he takes a step forward.



Dr Asim, a close aide to former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, was initially handed over to the country’s top accountability body on Friday after the NAB officials obtained his custody from police on the order of an anti-terrorism court (ATC).

The former petroleum minister had been detained by the paramilitary Rangers on August 26 in cases related to harbouring and treating terrorists at his private health facility, Ziauddin Hospital.



However, when his 90-day detention expired on November 26, Dr Asim was transferred to police custody for further investigations but later on the police announced that it was withdrawing terror-related charges against the PPP leader due to lack of evidence.