ISLAMABAD: Investigation agencies through their exaggerated assessment of the assets of different accused persons have not only weakened the corruption cases but such practice has led to weaken the confidence of common man on the process of accountability. Our investigation and accountability institutions workout voluminous documents full of allegations of corruption and corruption practices against someone but all fizzles out when evidence in support of the accusations are summoned by the court of law. Let us come to the case of former OGRA chairman Tauqir Sadiq. A litany of allegations was unleashed against him and he was depicted as the accursed person in national press in the perspective of his alleged involvement in loot and plunder spree but all blames proved a war of words as no single allegation has been proved true in the court. The situation is not different in the case of Dr Asim Hussain, as is being portrayed in the documents, accusing him of owning assets worth $88 billion dollars. This is but a sheer charge, which is yet to be proved in the courts. He expressed his ignorance about taking the Sindh govrnemnt into confidence prior to his arrest. He was surprisingly allowed to transfer his assets to his son last week while corruption case is pending against him. The details of assets transferred in the name of his son have not come to open. His wife is a patient of cancer and is undergoing treatment abroad. According to JIT report and other documents, he owns 36 companies in other countries including Dubai, Kuwait, US, UK, Oman and Qatar and the properties held by him and businesses owned by him and money accumulated in terms of kick backs are in addition to these 36 companies. He is also charged with facilitating terrorists, indulging in money laundering, funding terrorists and providing medical treatment to MQM and Lyari gang. He is also accused of becoming involved in transferring land in his name illegally. He is also charged with acquiring a plot of 2.8 acre in KDA and 1,347 square feet land in North Nazimabad for cancer hospital. Dr Asim said that he was waiting for judicial hearing of all these charges. He was first detained by the Pakistani Rangers. Dr Asim is a close confidant/aide of ex-president Zardari, as no print media article is complete without this adjective. It is surprising to note how the case has evolved from terror financing, to money laundering, to land grabbing, to fraud with public, to corruption in various state institutions. He is being portrayed as the most corrupt person in Pakistan and the value of his corruption is close to Rs 500 billion, which is about 1/8 of entire Pakistan budget for the last fiscal year. This may be a believable figure for some but a plausible debate should at least be entertained when the fishing exercise is completed. Terror financing was the official recorded charge against him, but the JIT report only mentioned the treatment of terrorists as method of terror financing. It is pertinent to mention that this in itself is not a crime. By internationally accepted medical ethics and also within our own constitution, doctors are not allowed refuse treatment to any one, regardless of race, religion and political affiliation. Just as lawyers are not committing a crime by defending a criminal, a doctor is not committing a crime by treating criminals or terrorists. Take a look at the case of Doctors Without Borders treating known Taliban combatants in Kunduz province in Afghanistan. Should the head of this foreign medical aid organisation also be charged for doing what the medical profession is meant to do? I believe this case highlights the way in which political agenda has been incorporated in an investigative process. Not only does it demonstrate the ineptness of the investigative agencies but also demonstrates their lack of independence. Higher authorities should take notice before this case goes on to become a grave mockery of Pakistan’s justice system.