IHC dismisses Nawaz Sharif’s plea for bail on medical grounds

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) dismissed the bail plea of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia reference on Monday. The two-member bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced the verdict. The court ruled that the bail cannot be granted on medical grounds. The detailed judgement will be announced later on. On the other hand, the PML-N has announced to challenge the verdict in Supreme Court of Pakistan. Talking to the media, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the IHC verdict had disappointed them. “We hoped that the verdict would be announced in our favour,” he said. Abbasi said that Nawaz Sharif could not be provided treatment in jail. “We have always respected courts and follow more legal courses,” he maintained. Khawaja Asif said that the PML-N would challenge the IHC verdict in Supreme Court. “All legal courses will be adopted. We hope Nawaz Sharif will get justice,” he maintained. Reacting to the IHC verdict, Senator Asif Kirmani said that the best possible facilities are the right of each patient. “We were hopeful of getting relief on medical grounds,” he said. On the other hand, Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz visited Jinnah Hospital after the dismissal of the bail plea and inquired after the health of Nawaz Sharif. They exchanged views on the IHC verdict. Maryam Aurangzeb and Khawaja Haris were also present in court. A large number of PML-N leaders and workers were present outside the court. On February 20, the IHC had adjourned the bail plea of the former prime minister on medical grounds till February 25. During the hearing, Justice Amir Farooq remarked that medical reports of the former premier bear different details. He directed to submit a new medical report of Nawaz Sharif from Jinnah Hospital. Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris told court that his client’s medical treatment was not possible at Jinnah Hospital Lahore and he should be shifted to the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC). The high court inquired about the health of the ex-PM and ordered a representative of the Punjab government to apprise the court in this regard. “Those sentenced to life imprisonment or awarded death sentence are also released on bail as per hardship,” added Haris. Punjab government’s representative told that Jinnah Hospital has the treatment of all the ailments. He stressed that the recommendations of the doctors will be followed. A representative doctor of the medical board, constituted to monitor Nawaz Sharif’s health condition and examine his medical reports, relayed that some of the patient’s test reports were being awaited. He said the patient was shifted to the hospital on February 15. Hearing on NAB’s first plea against Nawaz’s acquittal in Flagship reference will be held on April 2 while the second one seeking increase in the former premier’s sentence in Al-Azizia reference will be heard on April 9. Earlier, Allama Iqbal Medical College Principal Arif Tajammal has said that former prime minister Nawaz, who is serving jail in the Al-Azizia reference, is well and underwent some tests. Talking to the media on Sunday, he said that food of Nawaz Sharif had been changed. “There was no need to change the medicines being used by Nawaz Sharif,” he maintained. Dr Arif Tajammal said that cardiologists could better inform the people about any report. “We have received the old data of PIC and Services Hospital about Nawaz Sharif’s condition has been received,” he said. He said that the medical board had reviewed all medical history of Nawaz Sharif. “The board is likely to give its final opinion about the condition of Nawaz Sharif,” he said.