KARACHI: An antiterrorism court on Saturday issued for the 10th time warrants for the arrest of three politicians, including Muttahida Qaumi Movement dissident Anis Kaimkhani, and asked the police to approach the authorities concerned for placement of their names on the exit control list.

The warrants were issued against MQM’s Saleem Shahzad, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Abdul Qadir Patel and Mr Kaimkhani, who is now a leader of the Pak Sarzameen Party, in a case related to providing treatment and shelter to alleged terrorists.

Former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain is the main suspect in the case. He has been booked on a complaint of a Rangers official for allegedly treating and harbouring alleged terrorists and gangsters wounded in shootouts with Rangers and police at the North Nazimabad and Clifton branches of his hospital at the behest of some MQM and PPP leaders.

At the outset of the hearing, the investigation officer, DSP Altaf Hussain, submitted a report about warrants issued on the last hearing against Mr Shahzad, Mr Patel and Mr Kaimkhani.

The IO in his report stated that the absconders could not be apprehended since two of them were abroad, while Mr Kaimkhani was not available at his current address.

Darakhshan police have been told to help the IO arrest MQM dissident

He claimed that he visited his residence several times, but he was not present.

The IO requested the court to direct officials of the Darakhshan police to help him arrest Mr Kaimkhani since he was currently living within their jurisdiction.

The judge asked Special Public Prosecutor Ayaz Tunio if the names of absconders were put on the ECL. The prosecutor replied in the negative.

The ATC-II issued for the 10th time non-bailable warrants against the three leaders till April 18 and also directed the IO to approach the interior ministry for placement of their names on the ECL.

The court also directed the Darakhshan police to help the IO arrest Mr Kaimkhani.

Jail authorities produced Dr Asim and Usman Moazzam of Pasban in custody in court.

MQM leaders Waseem Akhtar and Rauf Siddiqui, who are on interim pre-arrest bail, were also present in court.

Meanwhile, Rangers lawyer Rana Khalid asked the court to take up his pending application about excluding some documentary evidence from the case apparently to favour the suspects. The judge, however, deferred the matter till the next date as the defence counsel sought time to submit a reply.

The former petroleum minster is also facing two corruption references before an accountability court for his alleged misuse of authority in fraudulent allotment of plots and encroachment of state land for Dr Ziauddin Hospital/Trust, commission through fertilizer cartel for illegal curtailment of gas for exploitative price hike fraud with public in the name of charity hospital, money-laundering and fraudulently awarding contracts of five gas fields to the Jamshoro Joint Venture Limited.

After the hearing, Dr Asim talked to the media and complained that his health was worsening during detention and his weight dropped to 70 kilograms from 112 kgs.

He added that the suffering of being behind bars could not be described in words.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2016