Nawaz Sharif departs for Switzerland

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif departed for Switzerland on Thursday for a routine medical check-up.

The PML-N president, who spent a busy Sunday in Gilgit-Baltistan canvassing for votes for his party, left for Geneva on a private flight. He reportedly travelled via Turkish Airlines. The purpose of the trip is said to be a routine medical examination.

According to reports, Nawaz Sharif will stay in Europe for around a week. As per the norm, his personal staff refrained from confirming details regarding his visit.

Since the formation of the PML-N government, Nawaz Sharif, whose daily routine had for long remained a permanent feature of prime-time news headlines, has largely been nudged into silence. Only a few of his activities are released to the media by his staff.

Nawaz Sharif's departure comes on the cusp of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections and does not apparently reflect high hopes within the party camp. The rally attended by Nawaz Sharif was relatively modest compared with the large gatherings being held by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

It is being speculated that the government's cautious position on the martyrdom of Iran's slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which led to deadly protests in the valley, has created a degree of ill will against the PML-N among the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.