Maryam heads to Geneva for 'checkup'

Punjab senior minister says CM's gland issue had worsened

LAHORE:

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb on Wednesday revealed that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had left for Geneva, Switzerland to undergo a medical checkup for a thyroid gland.

Addressing the presser, Marriyum stated that the Punjab chief minister had to be hospitalized at Sharif Medical University on Monday due to a gland issue that had worsened. She also revealed that Maryam's test values were high, and as a result, her surgeon had called her to Geneva.

The senior provincial minister maintained that Maryam had undergone gland surgery last year before her father and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif's arrival to Pakistan, but the issue relapsed just six months later.

She stated that, despite repeated insistence, Maryam had been ignoring the issue due to her busy schedule. She also confirmed that the Punjab chief minister would return on Nov 12 and continue performing her duties during the trip.

It is pertinent to mention that despite Maryam Nawaz falling sick on Monday, which reportedly necessitated her medical trip to Geneva, the media had been vaguely aware of her travel plans for the past two weeks or more.

As part of the final phase of the travel plan, the Sharif family was supposed to meet either in Europe or the UK for a vacation. The first two phases included Nawaz traveling to London via Dubai, followed by a short trip to the United States and back. So far, the plan has unfolded as per speculations.

This also casts doubt on the quality of medical treatment available in Pakistan, especially in Punjab, where the Sharif family holds power. The fact that Nawaz Sharif was reportedly flown to London for a checkup, and now Maryam herself is leaving, highlights the lack of confidence that those in power have in their own doctors and local medical facilities.