Karachi(Pakistan): Dr Asim Hussain, a close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari, was on Thursday handed over to police on a four-day remand by an anti-terrorism court here.
Dr Asim, a petroleum minister in the former Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led government, has been accused of facilitating terrorism and medical treatment of terrorists and criminals at his hospital in the port city of Karachi.
A handcuffed Hussain was brought in an armoured vehicle escorted by seven policemen and Ranger’s vans to an anti-terrorism court in Karachi.
Police on Wednesday had registered a case against Hussain under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws. He was originally arrested in August and had earlier been held by the Rangers for 90 days.
The PPP condemned his arrest, saying the case was “politically motivated”. The party had previously said that Hussain was innocent.
The case has renewed accusations that Pakistan’s powerful military is seeking to weaken civilian parties in the country’s largest and wealthiest city.
Names of Dr Asim and another Pakistan People’s Party leader were included in the Exit Control List reportedly on the request of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). (ANI)