By Nasir Mahmood

KARACHI: “There is no difference or conflict among the ranks of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP); it has always remained united and will stay so, and the reports in this regard are baseless. The office-bearers of Karachi Division have no clash of interests. We are one and will remain one for the welfare of Karachi. Karachi is our own city and we are duty bound to keep it clean, peaceful and developed.” These views were expressed by former petroleum minister and President PPP Karachi Division Dr Asim Hussain while talking to media outside the Accountability Court-IV yesterday. During the hearing of NAB reference No.19/2016, Farooq H. Naik, defence council for co-accused Iqbal Z Ahmed, submitted his arguments to exempt his client from attending the court due to his illness. The NAB prosecutor opposed the proposal saying since Ahmed was the main accused he should not be exempted. The court fixed the next date of hearing on 12 October. The hearing of another reference No.13/2016 was also adjourned for 12 October. Talking to reporters, Dr Asim reiterated that his life is for the country and he would like to sacrifice it for its defence. Criticizing Chaudhry Nisar, Dr Asim said that his children have got American nationality and already settled there, while people in the country especially in Karachi were facing problems to get their CNICs and passports resulting in various social problems, including the wedding of daughters. Dr Asim urged the masses, “We have to show the world that we are not bad people, we are a strong state, our judiciary and armed forces are strong and the people of Pakistan are united. Our internal politics should not affect the affairs of the country. Governments change in the democracy but the individuals should stop their excesses.” Replying to a question, he said that he is worried about the intention of PML-N to have a clash with judiciary and warned them to avoid such fights and debacles. Dr Asim further said that some people were thinking that I will flee from the country and would not return but I am back. I have defused this stance of the NAB authorities. NAB has fabricated all the cases against me. “I offer to invite six members from media channels and six members from NGOs to sit together to review the cases against me and decide.”