Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: PML-N
LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who was sentenced a 10-year jail term after being convicted for owning assets beyond income in the Avenfield reference, will be moved back to Kot Lakhpat prison on Tuesday (tomorrow) after completion of six weeks bail period.
He was released from the jail on March 27 after the Supreme Court had suspended his sentence in the Al-Azizia reference and granted him bail on medical grounds for six weeks.
However, the reprieve came with the rider that he would not leave the country during the period and file a fresh petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for further bail if his health condition deteriorates and he still needs medical attention.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Asif Saeed Khosa-led bench also allowed the former prime minister to get medical treatment from doctors of his choice, barred him from leaving Pakistan during the bail period.
Nawaz had undergone tests at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) after he reportedly fell sick under captivity in Adiala jail.
The ousted premier and his daughter Maryam Nawaz were jailed on July 13 after an accountability court sentenced them to 10 and seven years, respectively, over properties in Britain which emerged in the wake of Panama Papers revelations.
In its order, the Supreme Court had explained that after the six-week period, the bail would automatically stand cancelled and Nawaz would have to voluntarily surrender himself; otherwise, he would be taken into custody.
The order explained that the former prime minister would get medical treatment from the doctors of his choice during the bail period but if his health deteriorated and he still needed medical attention, he would have to approach the high court for fresh bail.
Nawaz was already on bail in the Avenfield Apartments reference in which an accountability court had sent him to jail for 10 years. The IHC later suspended the sentence.
The medical reports that were brought on record did suggest that Nawaz had a long history of ailments, including cardiac complications, kidney problem, hypertension and diabetes, the court observed.
Some of the reports prepared by the medical boards and available on record clearly recommended that “the patient’s current symptoms necessitate coronary angiography, after nephrologist’s clearance” and that “the patient needs cardiac catheterization, for further management, in view of his symptoms of angina. Because of long, complicated cardiac surgical history, cardiac surgical backup is recommended during the catheterisation.”
It has clearly been mentioned in such reports that while undergoing angiography Nawaz “will be at a mild [to] moderate risk of contrast including nephropathy,” the order recalled.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has decided to set up camps at different places of the city to express solidarity with their leader.
However, the party sources told The Express that the former prime minister has urged party workers to avoid assembling in front of the jail.
The former prime minister before returning to the jail is scheduled to meet party leaders.
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