Home department’s nod sought to shift Abbasi to hospital

PML-N leader’s lawyers asks home secretary to comply with court order

ISLAMABAD:  

Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's counsel has approached the Punjab home secretary asking him to comply with a court order to shift his client to a hospital for medical tests.

Barrister Zafarullah, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior vice president’s lawyer, wrote in his letter to the home secretary that on October 28, he had informed the accountability court in Islamabad that jail authorities were not having Abbasi’s medical tests conducted.

The court had directed the jail authorities to comply with instructions of the medical board that examined Abbasi.

However, the Adiala Jail superintendent told the court that the home department needed to be approached to grant permission to shift an under-trial prisoner to a hospital.

Medical board recommends shifting Abbasi to hospital after health deteriorates

Abbasi’s counsel requested the home secretary to comply with the accountability court’s directives and immediately order his client’s transfer to a hospital to prevent further deterioration of his health.

Earlier, a medical board, comprising doctors from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), examined Abbasi on October 8 and made several recommendations.

They included the provision of a hygienic environment, cooling in the form of inverter air-conditioning, a separate washroom and home-cooked meal.

The board had also advised Abbasi’s diagnostic tests.

It had suggested shifting the former prime minister, who is currently incarcerated in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) scandal, from jail to a hospital.

The medical board recommended hernia surgery for the PML-N leader. Medical reports suggest that Abbasi also has stones in his bladder and kidney.

During Abbasi’s appearance before the accountability court on October 28, the political leader’s counsel submitted a plea praying upon the court to broadcast the LNG scandal trial on television.

Briefing sought on ‘denial of facilities’ in NAB custody

Former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and Imran-ul-Haq were presented before the court. Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the case.

“Imran Khan claims he is behind the accountability drive in the country while the NAB chairman also claims he is behind the accountability drive in the country. People should know what is happening and they should be able to watch everything on TV,” said Abbasi.

The former premier also moved a petition in the accountability court seeking permission to be treated at Al-Shifa Hospital at his expense.

“I want to undergo surgery at Al-Shifa Hospital on my expense. The Punjab government is not ready to take any responsibility,” he added.

The court, meanwhile, extended Abbasi’s judicial remand till November 19 and adjourned the hearing.