MP HELENE expresses concern over Dr Asim’s detention

WRITES LETTER TO CANADIAN GOVT
National Courier Report

OTTAWA: Member of Canadian Parliament Helene Laverdiere has urged her government to seriously look after the case of its citizen Dr. Asim Hussain in Pakistan and provide latest information regarding the efforts of Canadian consular officials in Islamabad to assist Dr. Hussain.

In this regard Helene Laverdiere has written a letter to Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Stephane Dion on 26th April 2016.

In her letter she said, “I write to you today concerning the consular case of Dr. Asim Hussain, a Canadian Citizen detained in Pakistan. While Dr. Hussain is resident of Pakistan, he maintains strong ties to his home province of Ontario.”

Helene Laverdiere is a politician and was elected as Member of Parliament for the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie in the 2011 Canadian federal election as a member of the New Democratic Party.

Helene stated that Dr. Hussain is a medical doctor who has established hospitals in Pakistan. He was also a cabinet member of former Pakistan President Zardari. He was arrested in August 2015. I understand he was detained without charges for months.

Laverdiere obtained her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Bath, and briefly taught in the Sociology department at the University Level. She subsequently entered Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1992, serving in Washington, DC, Dakar, Senegal and Santiago.

Helene further said, “Minister, I have concerned about Dr. Hussain’s health. He has not been receiving the treatment he needs while in detention. I have also concerns about due process of law and believe his trial should be monitored by independent international observers. I understand Canadian consular officials have been attending some of Dr. Hussain’s court dates and are in touch with Dr. Hussain’s family here in Canada.”

“Minister, I respectfully ask for your Department to provide me with further information regarding the efforts of Canadian consular officials to assist Dr. Hussain,” Helene Laverdiere concluded in her letter.