Hearing of Nawaz Sharif’s plea for suspension of sentence on medical grounds underway

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – A two-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) is hearing the plea of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif for suspension of his sentence in the Al-Azizia on Saturday. Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani are hearing the plea. Counsel for Nawaz Sharif said that Nawaz had suffered a minor heart attack last night and his condition had worsened further. “There is a threat to his life,” he said. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the provincial government can suspend the sentence of a convict on medical grounds. The court issued notices to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and NAB Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal, asking them to appoint their representative and send him to court till 4pm. On Friday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had adjourned the hearing bail petition of the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia reference till Tuesday. Service Hospital MS Dr Saleem submitted medical report of Nawaz Sharif in the IHC. The report stated that the health condition of the former prime minister is critical and if the treatment is not being done properly, the disease can prove fatal. Dr Saleem informed the court that Nawaz Sharif’s platelets makes and then again reduces. On the occasion, Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Haris said, Nawaz Sharif is suffering from life-threatening diseases. The court summoned Nawaz Sharif’s detailed fresh medical report and adjourned the hearing of case till Tuesday. The plea was filed by PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif. The court has also summoned the Services Hospital medical superintendent. The counsel told court that doctors could not diagnose the disease of Nawaz Sharif. He prayed to the court to accept the bail plea. He also requested the court to allow Nawaz Sharif’s treatment abroad if doctors advise so. NAB’s chairman, NAB Lahore DG, Kot Lakhpat Jail’s superintendent and MS of the Services Hospital were made parties in the petition. On the other hand, platelets of Nawaz Sharif have again reduced to the low level of 6,000. Medical Board chairman Prof Dr Mahmood Ayaz has confirmed the reduction in the platelets. He said that they have started giving the new medicines and the platelets would reach the normal level. Earlier on Thursday, the medical board had confirmed that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is suffering from acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and his condition is improving as platelets count increased to 20,000 from 7,000. A doctor, treating the former premier, said the treatment of ITP has been started after the diagnosis was confirmed and Nawaz will recover in a week’s time. He further said that the disorder is treatable in Pakistan and intravenous treatment has commenced. “He does not have aplastic anaemia and his haemoglobin and WBC count (white blood cells) are normal. Platelets are low though,” said the doctor, who is well aware of the former premier’s treatment and health issues. The doctor added that Nawaz’s bonemarrow is also functioning normally and is making blood as it should in addition to a normal level of reticulocytes.