Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Asad Qaiser has been arrested from his residence in Islamabad’s Bani Gala area, the former National Assembly speaker’s brother said.
Sources said that Qaiser — who is a staunch supporter of PTI Chairman Imran Khan — was taken into custody by police and Anti-Corruption Establishment personnel for alleged corrupt practices related to purchase of medical equipment for Gajju Khan Medical College in Swabi.
Sources said that Qaiser is being shifted to Bani Gala Police Station, where he will be handed over to the ACE Swabi officials.
The FIR registered on the complaint of former ACE investigation officer Hidayat Shah stated that the five suspects caused Rs16.456 million loss to the treasury by “stealing” the equipment and purchasing substandard furniture for the institution.
PTI condemned Qaiser’s arrest, calling it a bid to “affect the transparency of elections”, which are set to be staged on February 8, 2024, as ordered by the Supreme Court after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and President Arif Alvi agreed on the said date.
