ATC judge scuttles police bid to free Dr Asim

• Judge rejects Police IO’s report clearing former PPP minister from terror charges , tells police to take Dr Asim into custody again
• Sindh Rangers challenge Durrani’s appointment as special prosecutor in SHC

A judge of the anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday rejected a plea seeking the release of former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain in cases related to harbouring and treating terrorists in his private medical facilities.

At the start of the proceedings, Investigation Officer DSP Altaf Hussain informed the court that he could not find any evidence related to terror charges leveled against the former minister, and requested the court to release the suspect.

However, the judge ordered police to take custody of the suspect besides observing that, “In ‘prima facie’ the misconduct, as contended in the FIR, was done. Therefore, the cognisance of the case is taken.”

While dismissing the IO’s report regarding finding no evidence against the suspect, the administrative judge transferred the case to an anti-terrorism court (ATC-II) for further proceedings.

Earlier on Sunday, the Sindh government changed the special public prosecutor pursuing charges of harbouring and treating terrorists against the former president Asif Ali Zardari’s confidante. The change of prosecutor came a day after the paramilitary Rangers petitioned the SHC seeking a restraining order against the possible move.

Nisar Ahmed Durrani, a Hyderabad-based member of the Sindh Bar Council and supporter of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party, replaced Mushtaq Jehangiri, a lawyer who was part of the paramilitary force’s legal team.

On Friday, Jehangiri had also moved the court, filing a similar petition in which he accused the newly-appointed investigating officer, DSP Altaf Hussain, of conducting an unfair and partial investigation to favour the accused.

Sindh Rangers, who had earlier arrested Dr Asim, have also challenged Senior Advocate Nisar Ahmad Durrani’s appointment as special prosecutor in the Sindh High Court. Mushtaq Jahangiri also alleged that the Sindh government was forcing him to favour Dr Asim Hussain in the case.

A two-member bench heard a plea by Pakistan Rangers officer Inayatullah Durrani. The plea stated that the government is constantly interfering in the case, which is hindering the progress. The Rangers demanded the court to bar the government from interfering.

The SHC adjourned the hearing until Tuesday and ordered that Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh’s verdict’s copy be presented.

Separately, Sindh High Court (SHC) heard plea filed by Dr Asim’s mother against the Rangers, and that of Rangers against the Sindh government.

The court postponed the hearing of plea filed by Dr Asim’s mother owing to the absence of her counsel. However, Dr Asim’s mother said that the paramilitary force is pressurising the investigation officer and must be stopped.

Meanwhile, locals gathered outside the court and raised slogans in favour of the Rangers and the targeted operation. Rangers’ supporters held banners with anti-Dr Asim scripts written on them.

The former petroleum minister – a close aide of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari – was arrested on August 26 over allegations of corruption and facilitating terrorists at his private hospital in Karachi.

During one of the hearing in the recent past, Dr Asim had maintained before the court that the receipts acquired by law enforcers from his hospitals are bogus. The terror accused has denied the charges ever since a case was registered in the North Nazimabad Police Station.

The PPP leader was initially held by Rangers for 90 days during which he claimed he was mistreated and forced to give statements under duress, which includes admission that wanted criminals were given treatment on his orders at his hospital.

The case holds immense importance in the current scenario of the country as the accused has been in close quarters with the former president Asif Ali Zardari while the law enforcers and anti-corruption bodies are apparently trying to hunt him down.

Zardari is presently residing in Dubai and there are reports that he would not participate in his late wife Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary ceremony on December 27 at Garhi Shahu as he suspects that he will be arrested.