Sharif’s ailments can’t be treated in Pakistan, lawyer tells IHC

Court expresses displeasure over NAB’s delay in submitting its response to plea

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's counsel informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday that his client was suffering from multiple ailments and he could only be treated abroad for which he should be granted bail.

The lawyer, Khawaja Haris, feared for Sharif’s life citing his health problems including diabetes, blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

He further informed the court that the former prime minister was under great mental stress because of his ailments.

During the hearing, a division bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani expressed its displeasure over National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Director General Irfan Mangi’s delay in submitting his department's response to Sharif’s bail plea.

Voting for federal budget will be disservice to Pakistan: Maryam Nawaz

The NAB official told the court that he was unable to submit the response on time because of his burden of work. He assured the court that there would be no delay next time.

Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that if somebody deserved bail, there should not be any delay by the prosecution in the submission of its response.

Sharif’s counsel told the bench that the Supreme Court had not seen his client’s fresh medical reports.  Justice Farooq asked the lawyer to present his argument over whether a bail plea on medical grounds could be filed again if the similar petition had been dismissed earlier.

“Usually another petition cannot be filed on the same grounds which had been previously rejected,” the judge noted.

The bench, however, observed that the situation differed in the case of a bail petition on medical grounds.

Haris argued that there were precedents in the country regarding filing petitions again on same grounds.

He added that a bail petition on medical grounds could be filed again on the basis of the changing medical condition of an accused.

Treasury wants commission to probe Jati Umra properties

“This case too depends on the fresh medical reports of the accused.”

The lawyer said his client’s health condition had been deteriorating after March 25, and his treatment needed to be started immediately.

Justice  Kiyani inquired about the treatment Sharif had received during his six-week bail period earlier.

Haris responded that the former prime minister had been diagnosed with new diseases. He added that 60% of blood vessels on Sharif’s right side and 30% of the left were clogged.

He also said the blood vessels supplying blood to his client’s brain were also affected.

“These diseases are not curable in Pakistan as there are no treatment facilities for them here,” he said.

The court adjourned the hearing on the bail plea on medical grounds till Thursday (today). The hearing of the former prime minister's appeal against his imprisonment would be heard on June 27.