Nawaz Sharif lands in London: doctor

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, personal physician Dr Adnan Khan accompanied the former premier


​ Our Correspondent November 19, 2019
Three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE: Former premier Nawaz Sharif, accompanied by his brother Shehbaz Sharif, reached London on Tuesday to continue with his medical treatment.

"Former PM #NawazSharif onboard Qatar Airways Air Ambulance A7-MED has landed safely at Heathrow, London-UK,” his personal physician Dr Adnan Khan, who also travelled along with the former premier, tweeted.



PML-N leader Marriyum Aurangzeb also confirmed the development.





The PML-N supremo left Lahore airport earlier in the day, where an air ambulance – equipped with an intensive care unit and an operation theatre – had arrived from Doha.



Before his departure, doctors conducted Nawaz's detailed examination and cleared him for travel after consultation.

A large number of party workers and supporters accompanied Nawaz's vehicle during his trip to the airport from Jati Umrah.

A hospital in the air

Aurangzeb said doctors recommended an air ambulance due to the critical condition of the former prime minister.

An air ambulance is an airplane equipped with an intensive care unit and an operation theatre. It houses an intensive care unit (ICU), oxygen cylinders, IC ventilators, an electrocardiogram (ECG), an electric wheelchair and a satellite phone.

Soon after Nawaz left, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan wished him a speedy recovery such that he could return and face the court cases against him. "[We are] praying that God grants a complete recovery to Nawaz Sharif,” she tweeted.

“We are praying for his health and [for his] speedy recovery so that he can return and face the law. With his conduct, Prime Minister Imran Khan has set a golden example of respect for humanity and supremacy of law."

Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry Minister said that the "journey from 'why was I expelled' to 'expel me for God's sake' is now approaching its end". He tweeted: "I sympathise with those workers of the PML-N who consider Nawaz Sharif their leader and tire themselves day and night."

However, later the minister softened his tone at a press conference in Islamabad, saying that the government was praying for Nawaz's health. He added that the "impression that an NRO had been granted should not be there".

The 69-year-old three times former prime minister, was shifted to the Services hospital last month after his health condition deteriorated, while serving a seven-year sentence in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat jail. Doctors then recommended him to get treatment abroad.

The government had allowed Nawaz’s travel for medical reasons, but put the condition that he submit an indemnity bond of Rs7-7.5 billion as guarantee that he would return to the country after getting treatment. Nawaz, however, rejected the condition.

Nawaz had been granted bail by the Islamabad High Court on humanitarian grounds in the Al Azizia case and by the Lahore High Court in the ongoing Chaudhry Sugar Mills case, in which he is a suspect. Last week, he was allowed by the LHC to travel abroad for treatment without any bond.

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