KARACHI: The Pakistan Rangers informed an anti-terrorism court on Saturday that the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Managing Director of the Sui Southern Gas Company's (SSGC) Shoaib Warsi and two other senior officials associated with the organisation, Zohair Siddique and Kamran Nagi, were under preventive detention for 90 days.

The personnel of the paramilitary force produced the three detainees in the chamber of ATC-I judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso.

Rangers officials contended that the SSGC officials had been detained for a 90-day preventive remand for inquiry under Section 11-EEEE of the Anti Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. They said the measure was taken upon receiving credible information about the officials' involvement in offences that came within the ATA's ambit.

Rangers officials said the detainees were produced along with a detention order and a jail warrant for the court's information in accordance with Section 11-EEEE(3) of the ATA.

Today’s development comes a day after Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that interference by federal agencies in the provincial government’s affairs amounted to “invasion of Sindh” and that he had already lodged a protest with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The uncharacteristic outburst of anger was the chief minister’s first reaction after the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain, former federal minister and Chairman of Sindh’s Higher Education Commission.

Rangers submit Dr Asim Hussain's medical report in ATC

Personnel from the paramilitary force also produced a medical report of Dr Asim in ATC-III today.

Also read: Rangers’ mandate

Dr Asim was placed under a 90-day preventive detention in Rangers custody earlier this week under Section 11-EEEE of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 for questioning.

Court sources had told Dawn that the Rangers had contended in the court that they had credible information regarding Dr Asim's involvement in terrorism-related activities as well as embezzlement of funds.

The court had previously asked the Rangers to submit a report on Dr Asim's health condition. Subsequently, a medical check-up was carried out by a senior doctor associated with the Rangers. According to the report prepared by the Rangers' medical officer, Dr Asim's sugar and blood pressure are at normal levels and there were no medical complications.

Dr Asim is currently in detention at the Meetha Ram Hostel sub-jail and has a doctor and two nurses at his disposal 24-hours a day, the court was informed.

Previously, Dr Asim's wife Dr Zareen had written a letter to Inspector General Sindh that her husband suffered from diabetes and high blood pressure and relied on medication. She had asked for permission to be allowed to meet Dr Asim in order to monitor his condition.