SHC grants bail to Dr. Asim on medical grounds

Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar of the SHC accepted bail applications of the former petroleum minister in corruption cases.

Following the end of his 90-day preventive detention on Nov 25, the Rangers handed him over to police after lodging a case against him for allegedly treating and harbouring terrorists at the North Nazimabad and Clifton branches of Dr Ziauddin Hospital at the behest of PPP and MQM leaders.

NAB arrested the former federal minister from the premises of Sindh High Court on Dec 11 after the administrative judge of anti-terrorism courts allowed the bureau to take him into custody when police informed him that the suspect had been released under Section 497(2) of CrPC in a case relating to providing treatment and shelter to terrorists at his hospital.

He was facing two other corruption cases filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for allegedly depriving the public exchequer of Rs462 million by misusing his authority. However, he sought bail in connection with the corruption reference made by NAB. It was informed by his lawyer, Anwar Mansoor Khan, that his health condition is worsening and requires complete rest and medical treatment. He is currently under treatment at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases.

Justice Agha granted bail to Dr Asim amounting to Rs. 2.5 million in each case and a bond of the same amount to the satisfaction of the court nazir.The court also directed him to submit his original passport with the nazir, they also directed the interior ministry not to issue him a fresh passport until further orders and to place his name on the Exit Control List.