ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari’s sister Faryal Talpur, who is in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), was shifted to Polyclinic on Friday.

The PPP leader was arrested in June in connection with a case pertaining to alleged money laundering through fake accounts. She was shifted to the officers’ ward of the hospital and diagnosed with a gastric infection.

Sources in the hospital said after initial treatment doctors suggested that she should be admitted to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the chief commissioner declared the ward a sub-jail. NAB officials will remain deployed in the ward while police will be on security duty outside the hospital.

According to PPP, NAB officials wanted to take her into custody again to present her in court. But doctors refused to discharge her because of her condition.

The sources said a medical board was formed under the supervision of Dr Asif and comprising medical and cardiac specialists. The four-member board also declared that the health condition of the PPP leader was unsatisfactory.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari along with his sisters Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Asifa Bhutto Zardari visited Polyclinic to inquire after her health.

Speaking on the occasion, the PPP chairman expressed concerns over the health of Ms Talpur. He said it was strange that doctors had suggested admitting Ms Talpur to hospital because of her health condition but NAB officials were insisting that she be shifted back to jail.

Talking about the Kashmir issue, he said there was a need to send a strong and unanimous message to the world but because of its stubborn attitude, the government was targeting its political opponents.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2019