ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Dr. Asim Hussain on Monday filed another application in the Supreme Court requesting it to fix his case – against placement of his name on the Exit Control List – on an early basis.
Dr. Hussain, close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari is accused of billions rupees of corruption, contended in his application that he had to proceed UK in the second week of July for his medical check-up. Stating that the case was related to the liberty and health of the petitioner, Hussain further contended that ends of justice demanded that his case be heard early. He requested the top court to fix his case for hearing preferably on July 6, 2017. On June 19, Sardar Latif Khosa representing former federal minister had filed a petition requesting for the removal of his name from the ECL. Dr. Hussain is fighting a number of health conditions; the petition had stated adding that there was urgency for medical care. Khosa had further contended that his client had already been granted bail by the Sindh High Court (SHC). In March, the SHC had granted bail to the PPP leader in two corruption references filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). NAB had been alleging that the former petroleum minister deprived the state exchequer of Rs 462.5 bn between 2010 and 2013 — Rs 450 bn through a fertilizer scam, Rs 9.5 bn through land fraud and Rs 3bn through money laundering. Dr Hussain was released from prison on March 31 after 19 months in detention. He had requested the SHC for the removal of his name from the ECL, however, the plea was declined.
Published in Daily Times, July 4th , 2017.
