An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday issued non-bailable warrants for suspected fugitives in the Dr Asim Hussain case and postponed the hearing till February 4.
At the outset of the proceedings, the court was presented a report about the fugitives by the investigation officer.
According to the report, a letter has been written to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director for the arrest of Qadir Patel, Saleem Shehzad and Anis Qaimkhani who have fled abroad. The investigator told the court that the FIA had not yet responded to the letter.
Upon this, the court issued non-bailable warrants for the fugitives, and ordered to present them before the court on the next hearing on February 4.
Meanwhile, the counsels for Dr Asim Hussain filed a plea with the court for provision of some documents they had not been given earlier. The court reserved the judgment on their petition.
Former petroleum minister and PPP leader Dr Asim Hussain had been accused of providing shelter to target killers and terrorists in the name of treatment at his hospital in Karachi. A case had been registered with the North Nazimabad Police Station against Dr Hussain. The accused however pleaded not guilty.
Also, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is probing Dr Hussain for the corruption charges. During the last hearing at the accountability court, Dr Hussain’s remand was extended into NAB custody.
Meanwhile, talking to media on Sindh High Court (SHC) premises, family of Dr Hussain stated that he held dual nationality and that his Canadian passport was confiscated after his arrest. They complained that the Sindh Rangers were not returning his passport, and demanded the authorities to intervene for return of his passport.
