NewsThursday, March 06, 2008
Asif Zardari’s apology is goodwill gesture: Menga
By Qazi Asif
KARACHI: Asif Zardari’s apology to the people of Balochistan is being considered a goodwill gesture but the incoming government will face some difficulties, because the people’s expectations are high. These were the only words Sardar Akhtar Mengal could convey to the media before he was bundled into a prison van during a hospital visit Wednesday. The former Balochistan chief minister and Balochistan National Party leader was brought for a second time to the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) for tests and was taken back to jail promptly, without the results. Mengal was first brought in on Monday, March 2, for tests with Prof. Azhar Farooqi, Dr Tariq Ashraf and Dr Ishtiaq Rasool who suggested he should be admitted for more tests and treatment. The officials escorting Mengal waited for two hours for the federal interior ministry to decide whether he should be admitted or not but no response came. The doctors informed the Karachi Central Jail authorities that if the patient cannot be admitted, he must be brought back after two days for further tests and treatment. On their advice, he was escorted to the NICVD Wednesday under strict security. The plainclothes security personnel did not allow anyone to meet Mengal and the media were denied access but a small group managed to reach him as he was boarding the prison vehicle. None of the doctors on the panel would comment. The Karachi police arrested Mengal in December 2006 for FIR No. 170/2006, registered at the Darakshan Police Station on charges were taking two military intelligence officials hostage and beating them at his DHA residence.
Courtesy Daily Times