Dr Asim booked for helping terrorists

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday handed over Dr Asim Hussain to police custody on four-day physical remand after he was booked on terror charges. Dr Asim, a former federal minister during the PPP government, remained under custody of Rangers on suspicion of links with some militants.

After the expiration of his 90-day remand in Rangers custody, Dr. Asim Hussain, a former federal minister and the Chairman of the provincial Higher Education Commission (HEC), was shifted to Gulberg police station moments after midnight under heightened guard.

197/15 has been registered under sections 7-A and 6A sub-section 1-21 of ATA, and 201, 202, 409 and 416 of PPC.

Dr Asim allegedly facilitated criminals and terrorists by getting them treated at his hospital in the city.

The Rangers registered an FIR against Dr Asim for helping criminals and terrorists by providing them with medical facilities and sheltering them at his hospital in Karachi. The party had previously said that Hussain was innocent.

The PPP condemned his arrest, saying the case was "politically motivated". Dr Asim is accused of providing medical treatment to MQM workers and gangsters from Lyari at hospitals he owns - which raises an interesting ethical question as his lawyers pointed out when speaking to a private TV channel on November 26.

Amid heavy security of police and Rangers, the high-profile accused was produced in anti-terrorism court where police investigators sought Dr. Asim's remand to interrogate him.

Police with the assistance of Rangers brought Dr Asim Hussain to an anti-terrorism court in an armored personnel carrier.

It also said Asim Hussain had confessed to misusing his position as petroleum minister to make illegal appointments and grant contracts illegally.

Most of hundreds of people targeted by paramilitary forces in recent months on accusations of corruption and violence belonged to MQM which has been dominating Karachi politics for decades.