PESHAWAR: An Accountability Court on Tuesday dismissed the bail application of former director general Health Dr Shaukat Ali, who was arrested in connection with an alleged embezzlement case involving government medicines procurement.
The bail petition was heard by Accountability Court Judge Hamid Mughal.During the proceedings, counsel for Dr Shaukat Ali appeared before the court, while National Accountability Bureau prosecutor Habibullah Baig represented the NAB.
Defence counsel argued that the allegations against the former DG Health were baseless and that he had been falsely implicated in the case. The lawyer maintained that Dr Shaukat himself had identified irregularities in the procurement process and had ensured that no payments were made to firms that failed to supply the required medicines.
The defence further submitted that the accused was being subjected to retaliatory action despite his efforts to highlight the alleged irregularities. The counsel pleaded that his client was a respected citizen and a retired grade-20 officer. He argued that NAB had already completed its investigation in the case and that there was no possibility of him absconding. The court was requested to grant bail.
