KARACHI: An 11-member medical board constituted by the Sindh government on the request of Balochistan auth­orities to ascertain whether retired Gen Pervez Musha­rraf was able to travel to appear in proceedings of Akbar Bugti murder case in Quetta, finally carried out his medical check-up on Wednesday at his residence, officials said.

It was the third time that the medical board succeeded in its effort to carry out medical check up of Mr Musharraf after two previous attempts in which he did not turn up before the board members at the Sindh Services’ Hospital (SSH), citing security reasons.

Also read: Nine-member medical board formed for Musharraf check-up

On Wednesday, officials said they received the Sindh government’s instructions asking board members that instead of waiting for the former army chief at the designated place they should go to his home in Generals Colony and do what was required by the court.

In its directive, said the officials, the provincial government said the medical board’s visit to the former president’s house was warranted as security concerns remained tangible if he visited the SSH.

The 11-member medical board is headed by Dr Imtiaz Hashmi as Dr Anis Bhatti, Director of Jinnah Postgra­du­a­te Medical Centre (JPMC), who headed it previously, was abroad. Dr Mohammad Taufeeq, Medical Superintendent of the SSH, is its convener.

Dr Ghulam Mehboob was added to the board in place of Dr Anis Bhatti, officials said, adding the board comprised experts in orthopaedics, spinal surgery, cardiology and radiology in addition to physicians.

The board had already got hold of Mr Musharraf’s medical history which included MRI and ECG reports.

“All experts examined him during our session there and they will give their opinions separately tomorrow (Thursday),” said Dr Mohammad Taufeeq while speaking to Dawn. He said the opinions of all the experts would be sent to the Sindh government on Thursday.

On previous occasions in which Mr Musharraf did not turn up before the board, officials said the former president had been duly informed in writing about the board’s meeting with the request to come and get him examined. But on both occasions, he abstained.

The first time he was called by the board in January and last time he did not show up was on March 10.

Dr Taufeeq said the board was meant to examine the retired general to ascertain whether he was fit to travel.

Among members of the board included Prof Junaid Ashraf, Prof Maratab Ali, Prof Tariq Mehmood and other senior doctors.

Nawab Akbar Bugti was ki­l­led in an operation on August 26, 2006, in Baloch­istan’s mountainous Kohlu district.

Bugti’s son, Nawabzada Jamil Akbar Bugti, has nominated the former president and other high-ups of that time in the murder of his father. However, Mr Musharraf was granted exemption from appearing before the court on the ground of his ill health.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2015

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