ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court disposed of on Wednesday a petition of former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain seeking continued treatment at a cardiovascular hospital in Karachi after a panel of doctors ruled that he was not suffering from any disease which needed medical attention.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, closed the case with an observation that in view of the medical board’s report, no further intervention by this court was warranted. Subsequently, the petition is disposed of, the court ordered.

The order was issued after Deputy Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti submitted a report compiled by a team of seven doctors of different medical departments and hospitals stating that they had physically examined Dr Asim and did not find any abnormality which required his hospitalisation.

Also read: Rangers unlawfully arrested Dr Asim, top Sindh govt lawyer tells high court

At the last hearing on Oct 8, the Supreme Court had ordered the constitution of an independent medical board for his check-up.

Dr Asim, a close confidant of former president Asif Ali Zardari, has been in Rangers’ custody since his arrest on Aug 26 for alleged involvement in a graft-related case.

Advocate Abid S. Zuberi, representing Dr Zareen Hussain, the wife of Dr Asim, objected to the findings of the medical board and argued that the court had directed the health secretary to constitute the board while the team which examined Dr Asim had been formed by the secretary of CADD (Capital Administration and Development Division).

But the court clarified that it had ordered constitution of the medical board for its own satisfaction and not of the parties.

Dr Zareen had moved the petition against the Sept 23 order of the Sindh High Court which had allowed discharge of Dr Asim from the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) in Karachi if Rangers’ doctors were satisfied about his health.

The petition argued that the high court verdict was based on the report of Rangers’ doctors and said Dr Asim should be shifted back to the hospital because he needed immediate medical attention.

It requested the Supreme Court to allow continuation of his treatment at the NICVD till its medical review board declared that he was fit to be discharged.

According to the petition, Dr Asim needed brain and lumbosacral spine MRI on Telsa 1.5 machine and the additional attorney general had assured the high court in the presence of Rangers’ representatives that the test would be conducted at the Aga Khan Hospital or any other suitable hospital.

It said the paramilitary force had also been informed that Dr Asim was a chronic sufferer of back pain and, therefore, arrangements should be made for his physiotherapy.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2015

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