Nawaz shifted to Services Hospital

A medical board had recommended that the former premier be shifted to a hospital as he is suffering from health issues

LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was shifted to the Services Hospital from the Kot Lakhpat Jail on Saturday after Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar gave the green signal for the transfer, Express News reported.

A special medical board constituted to monitor Sharif’s health had recommended that the former premier be shifted to a hospital from prison. The recommendation was made in the board’s report to the home department.

“Superintendent of jail will ensure early shifting of the prisoner back to the Central Jail Lahore, in consultation with respective hospital authorities, after requisite medical examination/investigation/management, under foolproof security arrangements,” read a notification issued by the Punjab home department.



On January 25, the provincial government had formed the medical board to examine the health of Nawaz. The board comprised cardiac experts from Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC).

The board conducted a detailed examination of Nawaz on January 30 for two hours inside the prison, where Sharif is lodged following his conviction in the Al-Azizia mills case filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Sharif’s personal physician, Dr Adnan Khan, also briefed the board members about the medical history related to his heart ailment. Following the check-up and on the basis of some medical reports, the board recommended shifting of the ousted prime minister to a hospital.



Prime Minister's Speacial Assistant Iftikhar Durrani said on Saturday that Sharif had been shifted to the hospital on the advice of doctors, despite the fact that capable doctors were available at the jail.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, Durrani dispelled the impression of an NRO-like deal with Sharif. "Imran Khan will never allow NRO. Imran Khan promised the nation that he will bring back the looted national wealth and he will deliver on his promise," he said.



However, former prime minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi categorically rejected the notion that Sharif had ever demanded an deal like the National Reconciliation Ordinance, “nor will he do so in the future”, according to another Express News reporte.

Addressing a press conference in Multan, Abbasi said Sharif was shifted to a hospital for treatment on the recommendation of the medical board. He maintained that Sharif would continue his political struggle, stressing that “no corruption charges against him have been proven”.