KARACHI: The Rangers on Friday rejected accusations made in a contempt of court notice submitted to the Sindh High Court (SHC) by PPP leader Dr Asim's counsel last week.

Dr Asim's senior counsel Abid S. Zuberi submitted the notice on behalf of Dr Zareen Hussain saying the Rangers had not complied with the SHC's earlier directive ordering the paramilitary force to provide medical care to Dr Asim.

The petitioner's counsel maintained that medication and medical checkups and facilities had not been provided to the former federal petroleum minister under Rangers care as per the SHC's order.

Rangers Law Officer Colonel Amjad categorically denied the petitioner's claims the paramilitary force had committed contempt of court.

In a statement submitted to Justice Sajjad Ali Shah heading the SHC division bench, he said the allegations were baseless and that all medication and facilities had been provided to Dr Asim while he was in Rangers custody.

He further maintained that the Rangers own medical staff had been providing medical care to Dr Asim, and that the PPP leader and Zardari aide was not afflicted with a life-threatening illness.

He said Asim suffered from blood pressure problems, and that the Rangers possessed sufficient medical facilities to care for his health problems.

Jusice Sajjad adjourned the hearing until Oct 13 and ordered the petitioner's counsel to submit a rejoinder to the Rangers reply by this date.

On Thursday, Dr Asim's counsel requested the Supreme Court (SC) to allow continuation of treatment at Karachi's National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) till its medical review board declares that he is fit to be discharged.

Counsel Abid Zuberi submitted a petition on behalf of Dr Zareen Hussain criticising the Sept 23 order of the SHC allowing the discharge of Dr Hussain from NICVD if Rangers’ doctors were satisfied with his health.

The SHC had also asked Rangers to strictly comply with their undertaking to provide all possible medical treatment to him.

Dr Zareen requested the SC to set aside the SHC order and direct Rangers to keep her husband under the care and supervision of NICVD until its medical review board was satisfied that the accused could be released safely.

According to the petition, Dr Hussain 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 at the cost of the petitioner.

Also read: Wife’s plea to keep Dr Asim hospitalised rejected

Despite the undertaking and promises made in the high court, the paramilitary force had failed to conduct appropriate tests, the petition said, adding that a letter dispatched to Rangers on Sept 8 specifically pointed out that failure to comply with the SHC order would amount to contempt of court.

The paramilitary force was also informed that Dr Hussain was a chronic sufferer of back pain and, therefore, arrangements should be made for his physiotherapy at the cost of the petitioner.

But Rangers refused to abide by their undertaking and the petitioner having no other option filed the contempt of court plea in the high court which issued notices to the respondents for Sept 23, Dawn newspaper reported.

On Sept 22, the petition said, Dr Zareen received a call from Rangers asking her to immediately rush to the NICVD where her husband faced an urgent medical situation. Upon reaching there, it transpired that Rangers had taken Dr Hussain to some other hospital where irregular treatment was proposed to be administered but on his refusal he was taken to the NICVD.

The ECG result of Dr Hussain, the petition claimed, showed changes indicating a heart attack and an acute kidney failure. As a result, he was admitted in the NICVD. The mismanaged medical care administered by Rangers almost led to multiple organ failure, the appeal alleged.

On Sept 28, Dr Zareen said, she was informed that all medical records of her husband had been removed from the hospital. Later it became clear that Dr Hussain was removed from the NICVD without consent or approval of its medical board and doctors. She said the report clearly showed that her husband was not fit to be removed from the hospital.

Under the garb of the high court, the appeal feared, the authorities could claim that Dr Hussain was completely fit and not entitled to be eased on his medical condition as the satisfaction of Rangers’ doctors was sufficient in the circumstances. Such an adverse inference was not only dangerous to the life of Dr Hussain but also deprived him of grounds which were otherwise validly available to him, the petition said.

Dr Asim Hussain, a close confident of former president Asif Ali Zardari, was arrested on Aug 26 for his alleged involvement in a graft-related scam and later handed over to Rangers on a 90-day custody.

Also read: Dr Asim Hussain admitted to hospital after health scare