PTI leader Asad Qaiser arrested from residence in Islamabad

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former speaker national assembly Asad Qaiser is reported to have been arrested from his residence in Islamabad on Friday.

Qaiser’s arrest was confirmed by his brother on Friday.

He said that officials of the Islamabad Police, along with some other officials in civil clothes, arrived at their home and arrested Qaiser. The officials told Qaiser’s family they were taking him to the relevant police station.

According to the news source, Asad Qaiser was taken into custody by police and Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) personnel for alleged corrupt practices related to the purchase of medical equipment for Gajju Khan Medical College in Swabi.

Sources claimed that Qaiser was shifted to Bani Gala Police Station, and was later handed over to the ACE Swabi officials.

The arrest was made against an FIR registered on the complaint of former ACE investigation officer Hidayat Shah.

According to a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) registered against the PTI leader, Asad Qaiser four officials of the health department face allegations of misusing funds and medical equipment in the medical college.

FIR stated that the five suspects caused Rs16.456 million loss to the treasury by “stealing” the equipment and purchasing substandard furniture for the institution.