DR ASIM’S BAIL PLEA 

By Nasir Mahmood

KARACHI: The referee judge of Sindh High Court Aftab Ahmed Gorar adjourned the hearing of Dr Asim Hussain’s bail applications till 13 March. During the hearing yesterday, Barrister Latif Khosa appeared on behalf of Dr Asim Hussain, while the NAB prosecutor requested the court to grant some time for collection of medical reports and other documents of the case. O lawyers appeared on behalf of Dr Asim Hussain included Anwar Mansoor Khan and Amir Raza Naqvi. The court adjourned the hearing to 13th March. Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar of Sindh High Court (SHC) was appointed on 16th February as the referee judge to decide on the two bail applications of former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain. SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah had appointed Justice Gorar to examine the split judgment and decide the matter. A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Farooq Shah and Muhammad Karim Khan Agha, had, on Feb. 3, given a split judgment in the matter. The judgment was announced with Justice Farooq Shah, who headed the bench dismissing the pleas, while Justice Karim Khan Agha granting the bail. In a 32 page judgement, Justice Karim Khan Agha in his dissenting note granting bail said Asim’s life could be at risk, therefore, he should be given bail on two surety bonds of Rs2.5 million each. Advocate Anwar Mansoor Khan had filed the application U/S 426, Cr.P.C. The applicant’s counsel pointed out that CP-7597/2015 was filed for bail against the NAB reference No. 13/2016, and CP-1696/2016 was filed against NAB reference No. 19/2016, both pending with the Accountability Court since long.