SUKKUR: The Sukkur bench of the Sindh High Court on Wednesday warned officers concerned to satisfy the court about reasons behind Pakistan Peoples Party leader Syed Khursheed Shah’s unusually long stay in NICVD for almost two years, failing which contempt cases may be filed against them.

Hearing a petition filed by Syed Tahir Hussain Shah, the bench expressed annoyance over unsatisfactory replies submitted to the court by chief secretary, former IG prisons Hayat Mangan and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases’ executive director Dr Syed Nadeem Qamar on declaring NICVD as sub-jail and warned if the officers concerned failed to satisfy the court, contempt of court proceedings might be initiated against them.

The court issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the hearing to July 8.

The court inquired why Khursheed Shah, who was indicted by accountability court in a corruption reference, was kept in NICVD for almost two years and why he was favoured and given extraordinary facilities at the hospital.

The judges asked additional advocate general (AAG) to inform the court as to who else had received such favours.

As the AAG expressed his ignorance, the court ordered that on next date of hearing the court be informed about the disease, prognosis and valid reasons for keeping the accused in the hospital for a long period of almost two years.

Petitioner Tahir Shah, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, told journalists outside the court that their apprehension proved to be true when Khursheed Shah addressed National Assembly. He seemed fully fit and did not appear to be suffering from any mental or physical ailment, he said.

He said the MNA in connivance with doctors of NICVD and Sindh government enjoyed complete freedom and all facilities inside his sub-jail, which was turned into a “resort”, where he carried on day-to-day affairs of his constituency without fail. A prisoner, who should have been in jail, was leading a luxurious and comfortable life in a hospital that was meant for the sick, he said.

The petitioner’s counsel Shahabuddin Shaikh demanded that doctors of army medical corps be asked to examine, determine the disease and assess state of Shah’s health because the influential prisoners like Sharjeel Memon who was admitted to a private hospital in Karachi were capable of tampering with evidence.

He feared that Khursheed Shah too would be able to furnish a bogus and fabricated medical report in court.

Jakhrani skips hearing in corruption case

SUKKUR: Aijaz Jakhrani, adviser to chief minister Sindh, failed to attend hearing of two corruption references filed against him by National Accountability Bureau in accountability court here on Wednesday.

The judge adjourned the hearing to July 19 and issued notice to Jakhrani for not attending the hearing.

Jakhrani and 13 co-accused faced charges of corruption in the two references to the tune of Rs800 million and Rs400m.

Meanwhile, NAB Sukkur said that last Monday, when a team of NAB officials along with lady personnel conducted raid on Jakhrani’s residence, a group of sympathizers of the accused attacked the raiding team.

Officials said that two official vehicles and a police van were damaged in the attack but local administration did not help or provide protection to the team. NAB chairman directed NAB Sukkur chief to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2021