Tag: Nawaz Sharif

  • ‘Will allow Maryam to travel abroad as well if she gets ill,’ says Interior minister

    ‘Will allow Maryam to travel abroad as well if she gets ill,’ says Interior minister

    Interior Minister Ijaz Shah has said that even Maryam Nawaz would be allowed to travel abroad if she was unwell, Geo News reported.

    According to the details, the minister said that there was no difference of opinion in the cabinet over the issue of removing former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

    “Nawaz Sharif is being allowed to go abroad on humanitarian grounds,” Shah said, adding that according to the doctors, former Prime Minister’s health was in critical condition and his treatment was not possible in Pakistan.

    “Nawaz is not going out of the country on a permanent basis. He will return after recovering from illness,” Shah said, dispelling the notion that the PML-N leader was being given relief under a deal.

    He added that all the ministers were in favour of allowing Nawaz to go abroad for treatment.

    Commenting on the ongoing Azadi March, Shah said, “We are giving Maulana Fazlur Rehman so many facilities that he will forget his demand for the prime minister’s resignation.”

    The minister, however, conceded that the JUI-F chief was not going to leave Islamabad anytime soon. “We have given him water, electricity and medical support,” he said, adding that Maulana Fazl had grown fond of Islamabad.

  • ‘No NRO for corrupt,’ Imran tells Rehmatullil Alameen Conference as Nawaz packs bags

    ‘No NRO for corrupt,’ Imran tells Rehmatullil Alameen Conference as Nawaz packs bags

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that those who looted the nation deserved no leniency, and no National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) or other relaxations could be given to the corrupt.

    “People have said that I should forgive those who have looted the country, but it is not my money that they have looted,” the premier said as he addressed the International Rehmatullil Alameen Conference in Islamabad while his political nemesis and convicted former PM Nawaz Sharif packed bags for London.

    Imran added that people donated to charities, but did not pay taxes. “If they don’t give taxes, how will the country move forward? Those who plundered the wealth of the nation deserve no right to be spared.”

    The statements came soon after reports claiming that the Imran-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had allowed Nawaz to travel abroad for medical treatment after his health deteriorated in jail.

    The convicted former premier was earlier granted bail during his stay at Lahore’s Services Hospital following a critical decline in his platelet count.

    NAWAZ’S TICKET CANCELLED:

    Nawaz, accompanied by his brother Shehbaz Sharif and family physician Dr Adnan, was scheduled to leave for London on Monday via Qatar Airways’ commercial flight QR-629 from Lahore.

    His ticket, however, was canceled as his name remains on the Exit Control List (ECL) despite Shehbaz’s request seeking its removal for medical treatment abroad.

    Soon after the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief’s request, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had opposed the removal of ailing Nawaz’s name from the no-fly list whereas government sources had hinted at possible foreign travel permission to the ex-PM.

    While Imran’s government had also allowed the premier to travel abroad for medical treatment, the premier had reportedly said that Nawaz’s removal from the ECL was subject to NAB’s approval.

    The statements had come despite Federal Interior Minister Brig (r) Ijaz Shah on October 31 saying that Nawaz’s name was not on the list in the first place.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    “I checked the record and we did not put him [Nawaz Sharif] on ECL,” he had said while addressing a joint press conference with Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan.

    What do you think of the entire episode? Let us know in the comments

  • Govt to remove Nawaz’s name from ECL: sources

    Govt to remove Nawaz’s name from ECL: sources

    After months of denying reports regarding relief to ailing former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to remove his name from the Exit Control List (ECL), The Current has learnt.

    “His name will be removed from the no-fly list within the next 72 hours,” sources said and added that the convicted Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo would subsequently be allowed to travel abroad.

    The development comes hours after Nawaz’s brother and PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif approached the Interior Ministry for the removal of the former premier’s name from the ECL.

    Nawaz, who was discharged from Lahore’s Services Hospital two days ago, was taken to his residence, Jati Umra, on Wednesday — 16 days after he was shifted to the hospital from jail in critical condition. With a precarious drop in his platelet count, the premier was also granted bail during his stay at the hospital.

    On Thursday, media reports claimed that the former premier had been convinced by his brother to leave the country for some time and seek medical treatment abroad.

    With Nawaz reportedly agreeing to leave, his daughter and PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who was also granted bail earlier this month, on Friday was seen agreeing with the decision.

    WATCH VIDEO:

    In an informal conversation with journalists outside an accountability court, she had said that her father’s health was critical and he must be allowed to travel abroad if that was the only option.

    “Politics will go on, but parents will not always be around. I am only focused on Nawaz Sharif’s health for now,” she said while responding to a question regarding her plans to join Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s sit-in in Islamabad.

    Commenting on whether she would accompany her father if he leaves the country for medical treatment, Maryam said that she could not travel immediately as her passport was with the court.

  • PICTURES: Special ICU set up for Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra

    PICTURES: Special ICU set up for Nawaz Sharif at Jati Umra

    Sixteen days after being treated at the Services Hospital in Lahore, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif arrived at Jati Umra where a special ICU has been set up for him.

    According to a statement issued by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, a special medical unit has been prepared at Sharif’s Jati Umra residence and he will be treated at home.

    “An intensive care unit (ICU) has been prepared under the supervision of Dr Adnan (his personal doctor),” Aurangzeb said adding that an ICU ventilator and cardiac facilities have also been provided.

    Sharing pictures of the unit on social media, Dr Adnan said that “a specialised HDU” has been established for Nawaz’s treatment “which is appropriately equipped and staffed 24/7.”

    The doctors have banned visitors and will ensure that Nawaz remains under intensive care. The doctors have also advised Maryam Nawaz to take precautionary measures for the health of her father.

    Meanwhile, Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry took a jibe at the PML-N supremo and said that he was the first patient to move home from the hospital despite being sick.

    On October 29, the Islamabad High Court suspended Sharif’s sentence in the Al-Azizia corruption reference for eight weeks on medical grounds.

  • Govt paving way for Nawaz to leave country?

    Govt paving way for Nawaz to leave country?

    Government-constituted medical board that is overseeing the treatment of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, has recommended him a genetic test that is not available in Pakistan, The News International reported.

    Reports quoted the head of the medical panel, Prof Dr Mehmood Ayaz, as saying that Nawaz needed to go abroad for treatment. “We will inform the Health Department in writing that Nawaz should undergo a genetic test abroad,” he reportedly said.

    According to Dr Ayaz, a foreign visit would become essential if doctors want to examine Nawaz’s body tissues in order to diagnose the exact cause of his illness since the former prime minister (PM) was “not facing a minor genetic issue”.

    With the panel head’s comments making headlines, rumour has it that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government — in both Punjab and centre — is paving way for the PML-N supremo to leave the country and “a deal has been struck”.

    On Tuesday, Federal Minister for Interior Brig (r) Ijaz Shah had also hinted at allowing Nawaz to seek treatment abroad “if that turns out to be the only option”. According to some reports, incumbent PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif is also trying to convince his brother to leave the country for treatment.

  • Maryam Nawaz still not released despite bail

    Maryam Nawaz still not released despite bail

    While the Lahore High Court granted bail to Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday, her release has so far been delayed due to procedural issues.

    As per media reports, Maryam Nawaz’s lawyers were late in completing the necessary documentation. However, sources share that the delay wasn’t at Maryam’s lawyers’ end.

    Due to the delay in her release, Mian Nawaz Sharif also did not shift to Sharif Medical City Hospital despite being discharged from Services Hospital on Tuesday. Mr. Sharif is adamant that he will shift only when Maryam Nawaz is released so that she can go with him.

    Meanwhile, #ReleaseMaryamNOW trended on Twitter for several hours once news broke out that her release has been delayed due to procedural issues.

    Some TV analysts speculated whether the delay in her release was related to a fear that she may address the Azadi March.

  • Cracks emerge among PML-N ranks as ‘leadership disobeys Nawaz’

    Cracks emerge among PML-N ranks as ‘leadership disobeys Nawaz’

    Amid reports of a rift between opposition parties as the
    Azadi March of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) to Islamabad continues, cracks
    are also emerging among ranks of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), The Current has learnt.

    According to sources, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s orders were disobeyed by the Punjab leadership of his party on Wednesday as 70,000 people were not mobilised to welcome Fazl’s caravan in Lahore.

    The Current reached
    out to several PML-N leaders to confirm or deny what rumour had and on the condition
    of anonymity, one of them rejected the same.

    “Both MNAs and MPAs of the PML-N were in Lahore to receive
    Maulana’s caravan and they did. We even distributed food among his buses, which
    were over a thousand in number,” the PML-N leader added.

    “There were six different points in Lahore where our party
    members gathered to welcome and facilitate Maulana Fazl. Our workers gathered to
    welcome the caravan hours before its arrival.”

    When asked why the PML-N leadership was nowhere to be seen at the Lahore stage of the Azadi March as JUI-F leaders addressed a mammoth gathering, the PML-N leader said they were asked to come on stage at the last minute and that too by a junior party worker.

    “Not Maulana or any other JUI-F leader invited us on stage and we told them that we will come in an hour. However, later we were told that the caravan will not stop for us.”

    The PML-N leader also said that they are on their way from Lahore to Islamabad with a huge crowd and plan on holding a small rally in the federal capital even though their leadership has been told by the JUI-F that the Azadi March will commence tomorrow.

    When The Current reached out to other PML-N leaders for confirmation of the postponement, former National Assembly (NA) speaker Ayaz Sadiq said, “Akram Durrani Sahib called me today and said that Maulana will address Azadi March at 2 pm tomorrow after Friday prayers in Islamabad.”

  • Al-Azizia case: Nawaz free for two-months as IHC suspends sentence

    Al-Azizia case: Nawaz free for two-months as IHC suspends sentence

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the seven-year sentence of former prime minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif for two months in Al-Azizia case.

    According to the details, the court on Tuesday resumed the hearing of a bail plea filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif for former premier Nawaz Sharif in the Al Azizia case.

    A two-member bench, comprising Justice Aamir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, heard the appeal.

    Last week, Shehbaz had appealed the IHC to grant bail to Nawaz in the Al Azizia case — in which the latter is sentenced to seven years in prison — on medical grounds.

    A two-member bench of the IHC had heard the bail petition on Friday and after questioning Services Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr. Saleem Cheema, who is part of the medical board treating Nawaz, the high court had adjourned the hearing until today.

    However, on Saturday, Shehbaz filed another petition in IHC and requested the court to hear the bail plea sooner owing to Nawaz’s “extremely critical condition”.

    The high court then granted interim bail to Nawaz on medical grounds which expired today.

    It is pertinent to mention that the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday had approved the bail of former PM Nawaz Sharif in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. The bail was approved on medical grounds.

    In light of this development, people are wondering if former PM will leave the country for further treatment.

  • Zardari sicker than Nawaz, but still serving prison like a common man: Sheikh Rasheed

    Zardari sicker than Nawaz, but still serving prison like a common man: Sheikh Rasheed

    Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed has said that former president Asif Ali Zardari was sicker than Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif but he was still serving time in prison, like the common man, Geo News reported.

    According to the details, the federal minister while addressing an event lashed out at the Sharif brothers and said that whenever former premier Nawaz Sharif fell ill, attempts were made to take him abroad.

    Rasheed said that Shehbaz was a bigger thief than Nawaz, adding that Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, “is not marching for Islam, he’s marching for Islamabad”.

    “If Imran gives NRO right now, all movements would die down”, Rasheed said.

    Nawaz was allowed bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case on Friday based on medical grounds. Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid had said that the government would obey the court’s orders if it allowed Sharif to fly abroad for medical treatment.

    She had also said that a plane was ready to fly in any doctor the Sharif family wanted from abroad to treat Nawaz.

  • ‘Nawaz denied my father med treatment in jail,’ PPP leader hints at karma

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sharmila Farooqi has recalled her own father’s ordeal during his incarceration by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.

    Sharmila through her Twitter handle on Thursday sent PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz a message wishing former premier Nawaz Sharif “good health and long life”.

    She lamented that her father Usman Farooqi, the former chairman of the Pakistan Steel Mills, was denied medical treatment by the PML-N government adding that he was sent back to jail after three days of having open-heart surgery.

    “I used to cry for his life and health…Never got any respite from Nawaz Sharif but I still wish him good health and long life…I feel for Maryam Nawaz too,” the PPP leader wrote.

    Sharmila’s tweet comes a day after news of Nawaz’s deteriorating health hit the media.

    Nawaz Sharif is suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) disease, called ITP for short, and doctors claim that it is treatable in Pakistan.