Sindh

Housing scam suspect allowed to go abroad

The petitioner's counsel argued that Tanveer Ahmed has a disease that could only be treated in the United States

Our Correspondent January 04, 2022

Sindh High Court building. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday allowed Tanveer Ahmed, the main accused in a multi-billion rupees scam in the name of Fazaia Housing Scheme, to leave the country and ordered him to submit a surety bond of Rs1 million.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Ahmed Kalhoro heard the bail application. The petitioner's counsel argued that Tanveer Ahmed had a disease which could only be treated in the United States. "Even the tests for the disease cannot be performed in Pakistan," the counsel maintained.

"What is the disease that cannot be cured in Pakistan?" remarked Justice Kalhoro. The petitioner's counsel stated that his client was suffering from heart and kidney disease while repeated angiographies have been performed.

Justice Kalhoro inquired about the status of the case against the accused in the trial court. At this, the NAB prosecutor argued that 98% of the victims have been reimbursed under the supervision of the SHC.

The petitioner's counsel stated that the accused had also previously left the country and that he would definitely return. The court allowed Ahmed to go to the US for 45 days from January 15 and ordered him to submit a surety bond of Rs1 million.

Meanwhile, the SHC bench issued notices to the prosecutor general, jail superintendent and other parties on a petition filed by family members seeking medical treatment for a suspected terrorist allegedly belonging to a banned outfit. He had been sentenced to death by a military court.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Kalhoro, heard the plea.

He asked what disease accused was suffering from. Counsel for the accused, Advocate Nadeem Ahmed, stated that the suspect Farooq Bhatti has scars on his body and they are constantly itching. Justice Kalhoro remarked that the suspect should be given anti-allergic pills.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2022.