The joint investigation team (JIT), formed to probe the charges of corruption, land-grabbing and misuse of power levelled against Dr Asim Hussain, has failed to frame the former federal minister on the basis of the evidences available with it, it has been learnt.
The JIT, which drew its members from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and paramilitary Rangers, in its report, observes that Dr Hussain cannot be charged on the basis of available evidences.
A close aide of president Asif Ali Zardari, Dr Hussain is being probed in connection with three cases: the registration of 19 private medical colleges in violation of the law and corruption in Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) funds; his alleged role in SSGC’s extraordinary favours to the K-Electric and collection of kickbacks of billions of rupees from oil marketing companies; and the establishment of two hospitals on land occupied illegally.
Dr Hussain, former minister and Sindh’s Higher Education Commission chairman, was apprehended in August this year. A day after arrest, Hussain was placed under preventive detention by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) for 90 days under the Section 11EEEE – a law which grants the armed forces special powers following the enactment of the Pakistan Protection Act (PPA) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
Sources privy to the development said that “the record available with the JIT was insufficient to implicate Dr Hussain”, adding that either the investigators failed to dig out evidences from the confiscated record or the record (sought by the JIT) was moved by Dr Hussain’s associate immediately after his arrest.
“Now the NAB would take Dr Hussain into custody for 90 days for investigation purposes,” said the sources, adding, “The JIT stood nowhere.”
They further said that the NAB chief was shocked to learn that the JIT could not find any concrete evidences against Dr Hussain in all the three cases, even from the eight-year-old record it had confiscated after visiting the PMDC Islamabad last month.
When contacted, a spokesperson for the NAB Sindh refused to disclose the findings of the JIT report, saying it was a sensitive matter and any statement at this stage would be premature. She however claimed that the JIT did find a number of evidences to prove the charges.
Commenting on the matter, PPP Senator Taj Haider said he was confident that the charges levelled against Hussain would prove to be baseless. He also held the view that the NAB could not take anyone into custody for investigation purposes under any provisions of the law but could albeit investigate or call them for explanation whenever required.
"JIT stood nowhere" says the report. What a joke ! Those who form JITs will have to think twice. Are we to believe that all what is done – like JIT etc is to gain time and fool the people ? What a shame !
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