Nawaz in London as govt holds off on appeal against LHC permission

Air ambulance carrying former PM makes brief stopover at Doha for refuelling

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in the British capital on Tuesday evening from Lahore after making a brief stopover in Doha via an air ambulance for medical treatment, nearly a month after his release on bail from a seven-year prison sentence for corruption.

Nawaz’s air ambulance landed at London’s Heathrow airport in the evening, his physician Dr Adnan Khan, tweeted, after making a two-hour stopover in the Qatari capital for refuelling. According to the media reports, close family members were present at the airport to receive him.

The former prime minister flew from Lahore in the morning after the interior ministry granted him the permission on the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC), yet keeping his name in the Exit Control List (ECL). Nawaz was accompanied by his brother Shehbaz Sharif and Dr Adnan.

The air ambulance landed at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport from Qatar at around 8.30am and took off after routine ground check and refuelling, with the Sharif brothers on board, the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) said.

Nawaz Sharif lands in London: doctor

Before leaving, Nawaz and Shehbaz shook hands with PML-N leaders, who were present at the Hajj Terminal to see them off. They included Khawaja Asif, Ayaz Sadiq, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khurram Dastagir, Pervaiz Rashid, Chaudhry Tanveer, Pervez Malik and others.

Earlier, Nawaz, wearing a dark blue suit and a muffler around his neck, took his SUV to travel to the airport from his residence in Jati Umra, according to witnesses and party leaders. They said that Nawaz used airlift to board the plane.

Nawaz’s mother, other family members, including his daughter Maryam, bid farewell to him at the house. A large number of party workers and supporters also accompanied Nawaz’s vehicle during his trip to the airport from Jati Umra.

A hospital in the air

PML-N Spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the doctors recommended an air ambulance due to the critical condition of the former prime minister, adding however, that Nawaz’s condition was unstable.

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.

Aurangzeb said that doctors examined Nawaz had administered high doses of steroids and medicines to ensure that his condition remains stable during the travel. She added that the medical team on the plane would be changed during the stopover in Doha.

Nawaz has been diagnosed with an immune system disorder, according to the doctors. PML-N leader Pervaiz Rashid said that Nawaz would go to Boston after going through a detailed checkup in London. He added that Nawaz would have a two-hour stopover in Doha.

Soon after Nawaz left, Special Assistant to Prime Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan wished him a speedy recovery so that he can 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 a 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.

‘Govt not to appeal’

On Tuesday, Law Minister Farogh Naseem said that the government had decided for the time being not to challenge the LHC verdict allowing Nawaz to go abroad without furnishing the indemnity bonds to the government.

“The court has announced an interim verdict and as per the precedent, there is 99% chance that the Supreme Court will not entertain an appeal against the interim verdict,” he told a news conference after a federal cabinet meeting. “Hence, there is no point of challenging the court’s decision.”

Nawaz Sharif won’t escape sentence, will return to country: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

However, the law minister insisted that the option of challenging the verdict was still “intact” and could be challenged in the apex court only after going through the detailed verdict, which would be issued after the court concludes the hearing.

“The case has been fixed for January for hearing and the government will present its reasoning on indemnity bonds before the Lahore High Court and subsequently decide to go in appeal after going through final judgment,” Naseem said.

He noted that contempt of court would apply to PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif in case Nawaz did not return. He also reiterated that Prime Minister Imran Khan had no personal grudge against Nawaz and that the government’s only objective was to ensure across-the-board accountability.

His departure came a day after the interior ministry issued a notification, allowing him to travel abroad in the light of the LHC's order. A ministry memorandum said Nawaz’s name would continue to stay in the ECL; however, he had been granted a one-time permission to travel for four weeks.

After the departure of the Nawaz, the law minister said, the government could consider if any request from Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari was received for medical treatment abroad.