–Aseefa says her father medical condition is ‘critical’, govt to be responsible if anything happens to ex-president
–Says NAB refused to let her meet Zardari in spite of court’s order
ISLAMABAD: Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, who is in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over corruption charges, was moved back to the Adiala Jail on Friday, a day after he was taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad for medical checkup.
Lashing out at the NAB’s move, Zardari’s daughter Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari accused the anti-graft watchdog of “forcefully” shifting her ailing father to jail in spite of his “critical medical condition”.
“Medical reports show that three arteries of Asif Zardari are blocked and he is suffering from severe spinal issues due to which he needs immediate medical attention,” Aseefa told reporters.
She added, “If anything happens to my father, the ‘selected government’ will be held responsible.”
Aseefa said doctors had informed they were being pressured to shift Zardari back to jail despite the deteriorating health.
“Receiving medical treatment is his right as a citizen and former president of the country,” said the PPP leader, adding that “it clearly showed a mala fide intent on the government’s part”.
شہید بے نظیر بھٹو کی صاحبزادی آصفہ بھٹو زرداری اسلام آباد میں نیوز کانفرنس کررہی ہیں۔ https://t.co/8yjQqhLZWL
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) August 30, 2019
Aseefa also claimed that she was barred from entering PIMS hospital on Friday when she went to meet her father.
“Women police officers manhandled me and didn’t allow me to see my father,” Aseefa said.
She went on to say that her father saw her and struggled to get out of his wheelchair and let her in. “He brought me to his room, but the officers kept coming in and telling me to leave,” she said. “Bibi get out,” the officials allegedly told Aseefa.
Aseefa said she refused to leave because she had taken permission from the court to meet Zardari on Friday. “The jail authorities were not present for me to speak to,” she added. Zardari was not allowed to speak to his lawyers either, Aseefa said.
According to jail authorities, Zardari was shifted to PIMS on the recommendation of a medical board. The PPP co-chairperson has been ill for the past few days.
Zardari is in jail as part of an investigation into the multi-billion fake accounts case. He and several others, including his sister Faryal Talpur and close aide Anwar Majeed, are being investigated for their alleged role in laundering money through fake accounts at three local banks.
The former president was sent to Adiala jail on August 16 after a court changed his physical remand to judicial remand. He will be presented before the court again on September 5.
