Govt wants to expose Sharif’s medical reports as ‘dubious’

Seeks to initiate contempt proceedings against Shehbaz for ‘false’ undertaking in LHC

ISLAMABAD:

 

The incumbent government wants to expose the “dubious” medical reports regarding former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s health submitted in the Lahore High Court. Last week, the government announced filing of a petition in the LHC, seeking legal action against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif for guaranteeing the return of his brother, convicted former premier Sharif, within a stipulated time, but he did not.

A cabinet member told The Express Tribune that the real purpose of the government’s move is to expose the “dubious” medical reports of former PM Sharif. Secondly, the government wants to persuade the LHC to initiate a contempt of court proceeding against Shehbaz for not fulfilling his undertaking regarding the return of his brother.

It is learnt that both federal and provincial governments started consulting medical experts to verify Sharif's medical reports which were sent to the LHC in August last year. According to the initial findings, the medical reports did not match the physical condition of Sharif as the reports are well arranged for the satisfaction of the court, sources informed.

A senior cabinet member said that if it is proved that Sharif's medical reports are fabricated, the government may send its own medical team for his check up to the United Kingdom (UK). “We may even challenge his medical reports there.” The minister said that the government would approach the LHC after full preparation in order to expose Sharif.

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The government is even considering to place Sharif’s video before the LHC wherein he had announced his return to the country soon. Legal experts believe that it’s more a political issue rather than a legal one. “There is less chance that the government’s move may have legal consequences against the Sharif brothers.” However, the government wants to get political benefit which is to expose Sharif.

Last week, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said the high court should have questioned Shehbaz for submitting what he termed as a "fake" undertaking. “[According to the undertaking] Sharif had to return within four weeks but he hasn’t even after a passage of two years.” In November 2019, Sharif had left the country after he signed a court-approved undertaking, saying that he would return to the country within four weeks.

Shehbaz too had signed an undertaking, which stated he would "ensure return" of his brother "within four weeks or on certification by doctors that he has regained his health and is fit to return to Pakistan".
Sharif was allowed to leave the country for a period of four weeks, extendable on the basis of medical reports. Back then, the government had agreed to allow Sharif to travel abroad, with the condition that indemnity bonds amounting to Rs7-7.5 billion be furnished.

The PML-N had rejected the condition and had taken the matter to the LHC, which ordered the federal government to remove Sharif’s name from the Exit Control List without any conditions. He left for London after he was released on bail from a seven-year sentence for corruption. Later on, upon his failure to appear before different courts, he was declared a proclaimed offender. Now, the government believes that Sharif is staying in London despite being healthy and, therefore, he should be brought back.