Punjab govt still awaits Nawaz’s medical report

Home dept official says it only received letter of ex-PM’s physician

LAHORE: Rejecting recent statements of two provincial ministers, an official of the Punjab Home Department on Friday said the department has not received any fresh medical report of former premier Nawaz Sharif, who is currently getting treatment in London.

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 hospitalised in Pakistan, for weeks in ‘very’ critical condition. He was later granted eight-week interim bail on October 26, 2019. The PTI led federal government also gave 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.

On Thursday Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat told reporters that the fresh medical reports of Nawaz Sharif had been received by the Home Department.

He had also claimed that the Punjab government was not satisfied with the reports. A day earlier, Punjab Information Minister Fayazul-Hasan Chohan had also said an ‘authentic’ medical report had been received, which was being reviewed by the medical board.

He had also claimed that the reports initially received were ‘fake and hotchpotch’ and were even disowned by Dr Adnan Khan, Nawaz’s personal physician. However, talking to The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity, a senior officer of the Punjab Home Department said they had only received a letter from Dr Adnan.

“The department has forwarded the letter along with the earlier received reports to the Health Department, which is to be reviewed by the medical board. “The health department has not yet communicated recommendations of the medical board to Home Department,” he said.

“The health department will forward recommendations of the board to the Home Department and then Home Department will take up the matter with the provincial government.” He said any final decision in this regard will be taken by the provincial government on the basis of the Home Department’s report.

He said Dr Adnan Khan’s letter was Nawaz Sharif’s prognosis, and it will hold value before the experts in the board. “The letter will be read in light of his last submitted medical reports from his doctors in London to understand his recent condition.”

“The Home Department will, without wasting any time, proceed with the matter, the moment they receive recommendation of the medical board via the health department. He said may be the provincial ministers were confusing Dr Adnan’s letter with medical report.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdos Ashiq Awan, however, was not confused in this regard as she told a press conference on Friday that Nawaz sent a letter when the government asked for his medical reports.