KARACHI: An accountability court approved on Tuesday Pakistan Peoples Party leader Dr Asim Hussain’s plea for medical treatment abroad.

The court was hearing bail plea, filed by Dr Asim Hussain, in a corruption case of Rs17 billion.

Hussain asked the court to allow him permission to travel abroad for medical treatment from 2 to 31 May.

The court, while accepting his plea, allowed Dr Asim to travel abroad for the treatment. The court adjourned the hearing until May 7 due to absence of NAB prosecutor.

Dr Hussain, a close aide of former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, faces several charges, including corruption references, filed by NAB of Rs479 billion. He is also alleged to have provided treatment and protection to terrorists at a hospital owned by him.

According to NAB, Dr Hussain created an artificial shortage of gas during his tenure, as a result urea fertilizer prices skyrocketed and touched Rs1,830 from just Rs850. Last year, the court had allowed Dr Asim to travel abroad from 2 to 30 October for treatment.