In court: Rangers deny allegations that Dr Asim was refused medical help

Family had accused paramilitary force of contempt of court

KARACHI: The Rangers rejected the allegations that they denied the provision of medical facilities to Dr Asim Hussain in a statement filed in court on Thursday.

Sindh Higher Education Commission chairperson Dr Asim, who is a former petroleum minister, is currently in 90-day detention of the paramilitary force due to his alleged involvement in terror financing and corruption. He was detained under Section 11EEEE of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.



Soon after his arrest, his wife Dr Zareen approached the Sindh High Court pleading the judges order the Rangers authorities to shift her husband from Mitharam sub-jail to a hospital as he urgently needed treatment for heart and other ailments.

Days later, she filed a contempt application accusing the commanding officer of the Rangers Abdullah Shah Headquarters of committing contempt of the court's orders by not ensuring provision of necessary medical aid. The paramilitary force's denial came in response to this contempt petition.

On Friday, Rangers Colonel Amjad categorically denying the petitioner's claims that the paramilitary force had committed contempt of court. In a statement submitted to Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, who is heading the SHC division bench, he said the allegations were baseless and that all medication and facilities had been provided to Dr Asim while he was in Rangers' custody.

He maintained that the Rangers' own medical staff had been providing medical care to Dr Asim, who is not afflicted with a life-threatening illness. He suffered from blood pressure problems, and that the Rangers possessed sufficient medical facilities to look after him, he said.

The petitioner's lawyer, Abid S Zuberi, requested the court allow him time to go through the Rangers report and file a rejoinder. Allowing the request, the bench adjourned the hearing till October 13.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2015.