The Supreme Court of Pakistan earlier today ordered Rangers officials to ensure provision of the best possible medical treatment and a doctor of his choice to arrested former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain.
A two-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani was hearing a plea by the former petroleum minister’s family members against his discharge and transfer from the hospital.
A lawyer for Dr Asim Hussain informed the court that his client had been taken to the hospital after he complained of cardiac pain. He claimed that Dr Asim had not fully recovered before he was discharged from the hospital because a doctor for the Rangers said he had recovered.
Dr Asim should be admitted to the hospital again, argued the petitioner’s lawyer.
Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani asked Dr Asim’s lawyer Abid Zubairi if he was sure that Dr Asim would remain safe in the hospital. The judge said that he was aware of the security situation in Karachi. He remarked that witnesses in the Wali Babar and Sabeen Mahmud murder cases have been gunned down, and that the court does not wish that a similar unfortunate incident happens to Dr Asim HUssain.
Justice Dost Mohammad Khosa said that the Sindh high Court had expressed the fear of Dr Asim’s life being in danger. He said that the court needs to strike a balance between the former minister’s medical treatment and his safety.
He said that taking Dr Asim out of Rangers’ custody would expose his life to danger.
The court ordered Rangers to provide Dr Asim with a doctor of his choice. The two-judge bench also issued notices to the Interior Ministry, Rangers and other parties in the case against the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader’s discharge from the hospital.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned to October 7.
