Health concerns: SHC seeks reports of tests performed on Dr Asim

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Thursday the additional attorney general to submit reports of the medical tests of Dr Asim Hussain, a close aide of the former president Asif Ali Zardari, conducted by the Rangers doctors during his detention over charges of financing terror activities.

Headed by Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, the division bench was hearing a petition, challenging Dr Hussain's detention by the paramilitary force under the anti-terror law, filed by his wife, who also sought contempt proceedings against the Rangers authorities for denying him medical treatment while in custody.

In August, the Rangers had taken the former petroleum minister into custody for 90 days under Section 11EEEE of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 on terror-financing and corruption charges.

Soon after his arrest, his wife, Dr Zareen Hussain, had challenged the detention under the anti-terror law, pleading the court order his transfer from the Mitharam sub-jail to a hospital as he urgently needed medical attention.

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 the provision of necessary medical aid.

Denying her allegations at the last hearing, the Rangers authorities maintained that the detainee was being provided all necessary medical care by their professional doctors.

At the outset of Thursday's proceedings, the SHC bench was informed that the Supreme Court had passed certain directives while hearing a petition filed by Dr Zareen.

"Since the issue of Dr Asim Hussain's treatment was taken up by the apex court yesterday, we would like to have a copy of the order for our guidance," the bench members told the parties.

Advocate Ayan Mustafa Memon, who represented Dr Zareen in the high court, requested for time to place on record a copy of the order at the next hearing. He requested, however, that the respondents may be directed to provide all the test reports of Dr Asim, which were conducted by the Rangers doctors.

Additional attorney general Salman Talibuddin said he will seek instructions from the Rangers as to whether any tests of Dr Asim were conducted as well as the status of these reports.

Allowing the request, the judges directed Talibuddin to submit such reports by November 5, when the matter will be taken up again.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2015.