SC permits Dr Asim Hussain to travel abroad

SC permits Dr Asim Hussain to travel abroad

Karachi (Staff Report): The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered the authorities concerned removal of PPP leader Dr Asim Hussain’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL), permitting him to travel abroad for a month to undergo medical treatment.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Dost Muhammad Khan heard the petition, requesting that a medical board advised the former minister to travel abroad for treatment. It said that Asim took an appointment with a doctor based in London for April 20 and any delay in treatment might further deteriorate his health.

After hearing the arguments of Asim Hussain's counsel, Barrister Latif Khosa, the court ordered the National Accountibity Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency to remove the name of Pakistan Peoples Party leader from the ECL, overturning Sindh High Court ruling.

Asim has been allowed to leave for abroad for one month for treatment and has to pay a bail of Rs 6 million.

Dr Hussain, a close aide of former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, faces several charges including corruption references filed by NAB of Rs 479 billion. He is also alleged to have provided treatment and protection to terrorists at a hospital owned by him.