RAWALPINDI: Central jail authorities have turned down a request of two senior officials of the British embassy seeking treatment of a convicted British national, Asghar Kasab, from a private doctor for his mental disease, Dawn has learnt.

The convict was arrested by Sadiqabad police in 2010 on charges of blasphemy.

The officials of the British Embassy approached the central jail authorities with the request on Tuesday, but the jail authorities refused to entertain their appeal, saying he was mentally fit. During the meeting Asghar Kasab was also present.

“We wanted his medical check-up to know about his mental disease,” a source said while quoting the embassy officials.

The sources said that the jail doctor assured the embassy officials that the convict was fit enough.

During the meeting Asghar complained that he was not being allowed to read newspapers.

He was later allowed to browse newspapers; however, his access to a private doctor is still barred.