‘No external force’ coerced govt into sending Nawaz abroad, clarifies Umar

Planning minister clarifies that his remarks related to PML-N leader’s departure to London being given a ‘spin’

ISLAMABAD:

Planning Minister Asad Umar has said that the decision to allow convicted former premier Nawaz Sharif to fly to London for medical treatment was taken by the federal government independently and not under the influence of any “external force”.

He issued a clarification regarding the media reports wherein he was quoted as saying that Prime Minister Imran Khan “solely” took the decision to allow the PML-N supremo to travel to London in November, 2019.

“[A] spin is being given to an answer of mine regarding Nawaz Sharif’s exit abroad. The discussion was about whether the PM takes decisions or someone else imposes decisions. I stated that the PM takes decisions. I was asked about the Nawaz Sharif exit decision in that context,” Umar wrote on his official Twitter handle on Sunday.

Spin being given to an answer of mine regarding nawaz sharif exit abroad. The discussion was about whether the PM takes decisions or someone else imposes decisions. I stated that the PM takes decisions. I was asked about the nawaz sharif exit decision in that context (1/2)

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 23, 2022

He went on to say that the decision was taken by the premier with consultation of the federal cabinet members.

“As stated in the programme, there was consultation and was finally decided in cabinet. No external force imposed it on us, hence I said decided by PM. I also voted to let him go,” he added.

The minister said later it became clear that medical reports on the basis of which decision was taken were ‘falsified’.

As stated in the program, there was consultation & was finally decided in cabinet. No external force imposed it on us, hence i said decided by PM. I also voted to let him go. Later it became clear that medical reports on the basis of which decision was taken were falsified(2/2)

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) January 23, 2022

Sharif, who was convicted over corruption by the accountability court, had flown to London in November 2019, after the federal government gave him a rare permission to fly abroad for medical treatment.

Also read: Shehbaz to 'pay' for Nawaz's extended stay in London

The federal cabinet announced earlier this month that it would approach the Lahore High Court (LHC) to seek disqualification of the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif for submitting a 'fake affidavit’ and over his failure to bring his brother, Nawaz, back to Pakistan from London.

In November 2019, Nawaz 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, that stated he would "ensure the return" of his brother "within four weeks or on certification by doctors that he has regained his health and is fit to return back to Pakistan".

Nawaz 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 Nawaz 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 Nawaz’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, upon his failure to appear before different courts, he was declared a proclaimed offender.