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KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Karachi police on Wednesday registered a case against former petroleum minister and PPP leader Dr. Asim Hussain under terror charges.
The development comes a day before the end of a 90-day physical remand of Dr. Asim in Rangers custody on charges of terror financing.
A senior police officer who wished not to be named told Dawn.com that North Nazimabad police have registered the case against Dr. Asim, a close aide of former president and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, under Anti-Terrorism Act of 1999.
However, the officer appeared reluctant to share more information about the nature of charges or if there were other co-accused in the case.
Dr Asim name put on ECL
The interior ministry has put Dr Asim Hussain's name on the Exit Control List (ECL), sources said.
According to details, the decision was taken following the request of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Sources further said NAB is likely to seek custody of Dr Asim to investigate three separate cases against him related to alleged corruption and his role in terror financing.
The former petroleum minister was arrested by Sindh Rangers from the office of Higher Education Commission in Clifton on August 26, 2015.
NAB is a part of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to investigate Dr Asim’s alleged corruption and his role in terror financing.
On the other hand, NAB is currently investigating three new corruption cases against Dr Asim, sources added.
These include illegal affiliation of medical colleges with Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), issuance of licences for dozens of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations and other corrupt practices.
Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.
