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Minister quits over woman's death Bail for 'death probe' minister
(about 1 hour later)
A Pakistani minister being investigated in connection with the death of a woman in Islamabad has resigned. A Pakistani minister being investigated in connection with the death of a woman in Islamabad has been granted bail.
Federal Communications Minister Shahid Jamil Qureshi was asked to step down by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. The court decision came a day after federal Communications Minister Shahid Jamil Qureshi resigned from his post.
Mr Qureshi "illegally detained" Kafila Siddiqui, a 40-year-old Canadian woman of Pakistani origin, her family said.Mr Qureshi "illegally detained" Kafila Siddiqui, a 40-year-old Canadian woman of Pakistani origin, her family said.
She was pronounced dead on Saturday after the minister took her to hospital in Islamabad. Cause of death is unclear and post mortem results are awaited.She was pronounced dead on Saturday after the minister took her to hospital in Islamabad. Cause of death is unclear and post mortem results are awaited.
Mr Qureshi said she was a friend and he found her dehydrated in her room.Mr Qureshi said she was a friend and he found her dehydrated in her room.
'Innocent''Innocent'
"I have handed in my resignation to the prime minister because I don't want to give the impression I'm using my official capacity as a state minister to influence the case," Mr Qureshi told a news conference in Islamabad on Tuesday. At a news conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Mr Qureshi said he had done nothing wrong but was stepping down.
"I have handed in my resignation to the prime minister because I don't want to give the impression I'm using my official capacity as a state minister to influence the case," Mr Qureshi told reporters.
"I will face all legal proceeding against me and time will tell that I'm innocent.""I will face all legal proceeding against me and time will tell that I'm innocent."
How Mrs Siddiqui, who ran a consultancy firm, died is unclear.How Mrs Siddiqui, who ran a consultancy firm, died is unclear.
Mr Qureshi took her to Islamabad's Pakistan Institute of Sciences hospital on Saturday, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.Mr Qureshi took her to Islamabad's Pakistan Institute of Sciences hospital on Saturday, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival.
"She had bruises on her neck and chest," Dr Farrukh Kamal told the BBC. But he also said that the bruises were not her cause of death."She had bruises on her neck and chest," Dr Farrukh Kamal told the BBC. But he also said that the bruises were not her cause of death.
According to the minister, Kafila Siddiqui was an old college friend he had been helping out, and they had been sharing the same house in the capital.According to the minister, Kafila Siddiqui was an old college friend he had been helping out, and they had been sharing the same house in the capital.
But Mrs Siddiqui's family allege she was kept in "illegal custody" by the minister.But Mrs Siddiqui's family allege she was kept in "illegal custody" by the minister.
They say they had been trying to contact her for four months, without success.They say they had been trying to contact her for four months, without success.
Police say a formal investigation has been launched into the case.Police say a formal investigation has been launched into the case.
Mr Qureshi's name has been placed on a list of people not allowed to leave the country.Mr Qureshi's name has been placed on a list of people not allowed to leave the country.
Police have also confirmed to the BBC that Interpol asked them to investigate the allegations by Mrs Siddiqui's family that she was being held by the minister against her will.Police have also confirmed to the BBC that Interpol asked them to investigate the allegations by Mrs Siddiqui's family that she was being held by the minister against her will.