Nasim ‘stable’, suffers from poor sight

Awami League (AL) leader Mohammad Nasim remained “clinically stable”, but was suffering from poor sight in his left eye, doctors yesterday said.
Three doctors including neurosurgeon MH Shahriar Sabet examined him at the intensive care unit of the LabAid Specialised Hospital. Nasim was admitted to the hospital after having a stroke in Kashimpur Jail Tuesday.
Members of the medical board formed for his treatment said though there was no further haemorrhage in brain, his condition could still take a turn for the worse.
He was taken to Square Hospital for CT angiography at 6:30pm and returned to LabAid after an hour and a half. The test report was yet to be released.
Nasim, also a former home minister, has complained of constant headache, and told doctors that he is partially blind in his left eye.
The eye problem is temporary and part of the after-effects of stroke, Deputy Inspector General (Prisons) Major Shamsul Haider told The Daily Star last night, quoting an ophthalmologist.
Earlier in the day, he visited Nasim in the hospital.
Meanwhile, the government is still weighing what would be the legal implications if it decides to release Nasim and Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko for treatment abroad.
Officials at the home ministry yesterday said the government is taking time since the issue of Nasim's release is somewhat complicated because of his previous conviction.
They said a handout would be published as soon as the matter is settled.
Of the two, Nasim has been sentenced to 13 years in prison in a graft case and facing trial on other charges of corruption.
Queried, the DIG prisons yesterday said, "We are waiting for instructions from the government."
Families of Nasim and Koko want the matter to be considered on humanitarian grounds and settled soon.
Sources in the BNP said Koko, now undergoing treatment at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, might be released on parole within the next few days.
Nasim's younger brother Rezaul Karim said the family hopes the government would act promptly on their application seeking arrangements for overseas treatment.