An accountability court permitted former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain to go abroad for medical treatment. During the hearing on Tuesday, Dr Asim, through his lawyer, moved an application seeking court’s permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. The accountability court allowed him to travel from October 2 to October 30. Dr Asim had also been granted permission to travel abroad on medical grounds back in June this year. Hussain, a close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari, is currently facing two corruption references regarding alleged corruption of Rs 4625 billion (mn) by misusing his powers. Dr Asim Hussain was arrested by Rangers in August 2015. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader was heading the provincial higher education department when he was apprehended. Afterwards, Hussain was transferred to the custody of civilian law enforcement agencies. Dr Asim was released after 19 months in custody when his bail plea got accepted in all the cases against him. Published in Daily Times, September 3rd 2018.