IHC orders submission of Sharif’s medical reports

Ex-PM’s counsel filed a petition asking for his sentence to be suspended on medical grounds

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has ordered the medical reports of former premier Nawaz Sharif to be submitted in the registrar office providing a copy each to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor. The court also summoned the Punjab home department on the next hearing.

A divisional bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case.

Nawaz’s lawyer, Khawaja Harris, has filed two petitions seeking the suspension of his sentences. In the first plea, he has challenged the verdict of the accountability court that sentenced him in Al-Azizia reference and another asking for the sentence to be suspended.

Later, he filed a petition asking for the sentence to be suspended on medical grounds. He said that he wanted the sentenced to be delayed because Nawaz was unwell and suffering from cardiac ailment.

When Nawaz Sharif’s medical reports were submitted in the court by the superintendent Kot Lakhpat jail, Justice Amir Farooq said that reports should have been submitted in the court following a proper procedure.

Kot Lakhpat jail’s Dr. Shakeel replied that the medical reports were received last night and brought to the court.



The court directed the copies of medical reports to be handed over to Nawaz Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris and NAB prosecutor and ordered NAB to submit reply on the plea.

Addressing Sharif’s counsel, Justice Amir Farooq remarked that one of his petitions pertaining to suspension of punishment was also scheduled for hearing. The plea along with other petitions was being postponed till 18th of February.

Khawaja Haris said that 18th February would be a faraway date and requested for the plea to be heard soon.

He contended that the PML-N had decided to take back the petition filed for the suspension of punishment and did not want to pursue it further.

Justice Amir Farooq said that the court would have to wait for the replies of the respondents after the notice.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani asked if the representative of Punjab government was present in the court.

“One question is that why was this medical board formed. We have to see what request was received and for whom was the board formed,” the judge remarked.

Dr. Shakeel said that the medical board was constituted on the request of Punjab home department.

The court directed the jail officials to appear in the next hearing with a complete record.

The proceedings of the case were adjourned till February 12, 2019.