PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday sought a response from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over a petition filed by Qaiser Iqbal, an alleged key suspect in the Kohistan financial scandal, seeking permission for treatment at a hospital of his choice and examination by a preferred medical board.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr Khurshid Iqbal heard the petition.

During the proceedings, counsel for Qaiser Iqbal, Naveed Ahmed Khan Khankhel, said his client required a medical examination by a board of his choice to determine the nature of his condition and facilitate appropriate treatment.

The counsel told the court that Mr Iqbal had earlier been shifted to the Institute of Cardiology during NAB custody and had also been taken to hospital from jail on several occasions.

Justice Arshad Ali asked whether the petitioner was seeking medical treatment or bail on health grounds. The counsel clarified that the petition concerned only the constitution of a medical board and treatment according to medical requirements.

The bench observed that an accused could be provided treatment at a hospital of his choice, noting that access to appropriate medical care was a basic right.

NAB special prosecutor Arbab Kaleemullah informed the court that Mr Iqbal had previously sought bail on medical grounds from the accountability court, but the plea was rejected. The petitioner’s counsel confirmed that no bail petition had so far been filed before the high court.

The court directed NAB to obtain instructions from the relevant authorities regarding the possibility of shifting Qaiser Iqbal to a hospital of his choice and apprise the bench at the next hearing.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2026