FIA prosecutor murder case: IHC directs police to submit suspect’s medical report

A PIMS medical board had declared his condition stable.

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday asked the federation’s counsel to submit a compliance report regarding medical assistance for a suspect accused of murdering a senior Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor.

IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi directed Standing Counsel Shabbir Abbasi to submit in writing that Abdullah Umar, who had requested medical assistance and hospitalisation, was thoroughly examined. Umar is accused of murdering FIA Prosecutor Chaudhry Zulfiqar.

Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) had declared Umar’s condition stable in a recent medical report. Advocate Abdur Rahim, the petitioner’s counsel, argued that the medical board was incomplete due to the absence of a physiotherapist and orthopaedic surgeon. He informed the court that his client was shot thrice when unknown men tried to snatch his car and claimed that Umar was paralysed as a result of the injuries.



Rahim claimed that his client needed medical treatment which was only possible at Pims. He requested the court to reject the medical report and order a new medical board comprising a physiotherapist and an orthopaedic surgeon. The medical report conducted by a three-member board had stated Umar’s condition was stable and there was no need for him to be hospitalised.

The high court adjourned the case till August 7. Chaudhry was killed near G-9 Markaz by two men in a car while he was on his way to an anti-terrorist court to appear in the Benazir Bhutto murder case. Later, Umar — a student at International Islamic University Islamabad — was arrested by the Islamabad Police. According to Umar’s counsel, on May 3, two gunmen opened fire at his client — leaving him paralysed — and snatched his car. He added that an FIR related to the incident was also filed with the Ratta Amral police.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2013.