Nawaz, Maryam leave for London to visit hospitalised Kulsoom

Ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif and daughter Maryam Nawaz left for London early Wednesday morning to visit Kulsoom Nawaz.

The father-daughter duo have confirmed that they will be back in time for the next hearing in corruption references filed against the Sharif family by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in an accountability court.

Taking to Twitter, Maryam said that they were “off to London” to see the ailing Kulsoom Nawaz. She added that they will fly back if the accountability court does not grant exemption from appearing in court for the next hearing on Friday (April 20). “Please remember her in your special prayers,” she tweeted.

Off to London to see Ami. If exemption not granted, will return before next hearing Insha'Allah. Pls remember her in your special prayers. pic.twitter.com/W0v64Ycsfj

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 18, 2018

Kulsoom, currently undergoing cancer treatment in Britain’s capital, was hospitalised last night. Earlier in January, Kulsoom successfully went through her fifth chemotherapy session in London.

My mother is hospitalised again. Pls remember her in your special prayers. I know prayers can do wonders. Allah answers prayers. Thank you.

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 17, 2018

It is pertinent to note that the next appearance is tentative as Maryam and her husband Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar are only accused in the Avenfield reference. Keeping in view, the defence counsel has concluded cross-examination of JIT head Wajid Zia in the said reference, the accused will have to appear before the court in person as and when the court summons another witness in the Avenfield reference.

Nawaz, on the other hand, has to appear before the court on Friday and again on Monday when the court begins hearing Azizia Steel Company & Hill Metal Company and Flagship Investment and other companies references filed against the three-time former PM and his sons - Hassan and Hussain.



PTI expresses concerns over Nawaz, Maryam's trip to London

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf expressed concerns on Wednesday after Nawaz and Maryam left for London.
PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry stressed that the departure should not be an attempt to escape as NAB cases were nearing conclusion. He said the accountability process must remain unaffected by ensuring the suspect does not flee. Referring to Ishaq Dar, Chaudhry said the former finance minister had also ‘escaped’ in the garb of illness.

The PTI leader alleged that Nawaz’s visit to London coincides with that of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Only time will reveal why Nawaz and Modi have chosen a similar time for their visit to Britian,” Chaudhry wondered.

Modi, along with heads of other commonwealth states including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, is in the UK for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2018.