Physical remand of Drap ex-CEO extended

ISLAMABAD: A judicial magistrate allowed two-day extension in the physical remand of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) former CEO in a fake PhD degree case.

The ex-CEO Sheikh Akhtar Hussain was presented by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in court of Judicial Magistrate Abbas Shah after his two-day physical remand granted earlier completed.

The FIA officials sought extension in the accused remand saying an arrest had been made during the earlier remand period.

Accepting the FIA request, the court granted extension in the remand of the ex-CEO and another accused for two more days.

FIA’s anti-corruption circle had arrested the ex-CEO of the Drap in a fake degree case.

“He was appointed CEO of the regulatory authority based on PhD degree, which was found fake,” an FIA spokesperson said.

Mr Hussain was appointed as CEO of Drap in 2018-19.

He was arrested by the FIA after a special judge central dismissed his pre-arrest bail.

FIA anti-corruption wing had booked the accused over his fake PhD degree.

When contacted by FIA, the Sri Lankan Interpol confirmed that Hussain’s PhD was fake because the institution that awarded him the degree was not recognised.