KARACHI: An accountability court allowed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to keep custody of former federal minister Dr Asim Hussain for 14 more days during a hearing on Tuesday.

NAB prosecution asked Administrative Judge Accountability Courts Saad Qureshi for a 15-day extension in Dr Asim’s remand.

Dr Asim, who has been in NAB custody since Dec 11, is facing an inquiry into charges of misuse of authority in allotment of plots and encroachment of state land for Dr Ziauddin Hospital, kickbacks and commission through fertiliser cartel for illegal curtailment, fraud with the public in the name of a charity hospital and money-laundering.

The prosecution said that 80 per cent of the investigation into the PPP leader was complete and two weeks would be required to complete the remaining 20pc of the investigation and other formalities.

Defence lawyers Amir Raza Naqvi and Anwar Mansoor Khan argued against further detention of their client, citing psychological pressure. The defence counsel contended Dr Asim was physically and mentally disturbed due to his detention, and that the former minister was not mentally active.

The defence said his detention violated certain articles of the law. They maintained that he was not required for the investigation any longer and asked for him to be sent to prison on judicial remand.

Dr Haroon who was ordered to conduct a psychological check up of Dr Asim said in his report presented in court today that the detainee was under extreme mental stress and should be provided with an open and relaxed environment. He recommended conducted medical tests, including an MRI on Dr Asim.

The court directed NAB to conduct the recommended medical tests and investigations, take the reports to Dr Haroon and then comply with his directions.