Punjab seeks ‘fresh’ reports from Nawaz

Says medical board concludes available documents not sufficient to form a conclusive opinion

LAHORE: Punjab government has sought fresh and relevant medical reports from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, after a medical board constituted to deliberate on grounds for extending his bail found that the reports submitted by his family are insufficient.

Documents revealed on Thursday that the former premier has been given three-day time, starting from January 28, to submit medical reports to the Punjab government, so that the Special Medical Board might form an opinion regarding extension in his bail. The deadline is going to end today (Friday).

Nawaz, who is serving seven-year jail term due to his conviction in a corruption case, was diagnosed with an immune system disorder – acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) – in October 2019.

He remained hospitalized in Pakistan, for weeks on end and reportedly remained in ‘very’ critical condition. He was later granted eight-week interim bail on October 26, 2019.

Army chief extension: Nawaz lays down time-frame to pass amendments in Pakistan Army Act 1952

The PTI-led federal government also allowed him permission to fly abroad for treatment after a board of doctors constituted by the government concluded that his treatment was not possible in Pakistan.

The former prime minister is currently seeking an extension in his stay abroad from the Punjab government on health grounds due to severe illness – which some suspect is a ruse to escape jail.

According to available documents, the medial board has written a letter to Nawaz, warning that if relevant medical reports are not submitted, the competent authority will decide the matter according to “the available facts brought on record”.

The letter written on January 28 said Nawaz’s application dated Dec 23, 2019 along with medical reports, furnished by his counsel Khawaja Haris were sent to the medical board. The board, headed by Dr Mahmood Ayyaz, concluded that the reports were not sufficient to form a conclusive opinion.



It said Nawaz’s counsel, Haris, was requested vide letter dated January 6 to provide the latest medical record. Haris, however, requested the home department to approach Nawaz Sharif or his personal physician Dr Adnan Khan directly.

It said later the department requested Dr Adnan Khan through an email to provide the requisite medical reports as desired by the Special Medical Board. Another letter dated January 13 was also forwarded to Nawaz Sharif, his counsel and the PML-N Deputy Secretary General Attaullah Tarar.

Later, Tarar provided the new medical reports.

Commenting on the reports, the board noted that a summary by Dr David Lawrence, Nawaz’s treating consultant, only summarized his cardiac imaging, echo cardiograph, holter monitoring and cardiac PET.

"His Hematological and Bio Chemical Reports especially platelets count have not been provided. The board would like to know his CBC, kidney function, bone marrow studies (if done), whole body PET scan, as well as the plan by treating Hematologist in order to stabilize you for necessary interventions”

In the light of findings, the Special Medical Board said, Nawaz Sharif was again requested to provide above mentioned medical reports vide letter no SO (MP) 20- 1/2019 (P) dated January 18.

In response to the letter, Tarar on January 20, assured that he would provide medical reports in due course “as and when they are provided by the consulting medical professionals.”

“However, response from Nawaz Sharif side or from any of his representatives was still awaited even after passing of eight (8) days,” it said.

According to a PML-N leader familiar with the development, Tarar is likely to submit the available medical reports today (Friday).  He said it was not possible to submit all reports sought by the board as Nawaz would be undergoing a very complex heart procedure in London.

“A patient undergoes treatment on the advice of his doctors, so nothing is in the hands of Sharif family.  There is no purposeful delay in submitting reports as stated in the letter. As soon as we receive reports, we will submit it,” he added.

He said they have already submitted reports which were enough for the doctors to reach a conclusion. He alleged that the medical board was working under the government’s pressure and was deliberately overlooking available facts.

A day after the above written letter was sent to the Sharif family and a day before it land in the media, Nawaz’s personal physician Dr Khan had tweeted that the PML-N supreme leader had undergone pre-admission evaluation and investigations.

“The hospitalization is planned & finalized in coming week to a cardiac centre of an NHS Trust Hospital. He will undergo Cardiac Catheterization/Coronary Intervention to treat complex coronary artery disease,” he had said.

Nawaz travelled to the British capital in an air ambulance accompanied by younger brother, the PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, and personal physician, Dr Adnan Khan, on November 19.

Prior to departure, hype was created in the Pakistani media by the PML-N leaders regarding Nawaz Sharif very critical health, which immediately dissipated after his departure to London.

The bulletin issued by the PML-N about Nawaz’s health when he was admitted to a government hospital in Pakistan also became rare after his treatment started in London.