PESHAWAR/KHAR: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz activists held protest demonstrations in Peshawar and Khar on Sunday, accusing the government of creating hurdles to provision of quality medical treatment to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and demanded his immediate release on medical grounds.

In Peshawar, the PML-N workers gathered outside the local press club and displayed banners and placards inscribed with demands for early release of their leader. They also shouted anti-government slogans.

The protesters were led by MPA Sobia Khan who accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of creating hurdles to release and provision of proper treatment facilities to Mr Sharif. He said that in case of any health complications to Mr Sharif the entire responsibility would rest with the government.

“The government is trying to victimise our leadership through accountability bodies, but it will be a futile exercise as our leaders are ready to face the cases,” she said.

Slam govt for not giving him proper health facilities

The MPA said that the government failed to fulfil its commitments with the masses, as it had repeatedly increased the prices of power, gas and petroleum products. She claimed that the court cases against opposition leaders were meant to hide weaknesses of the ministers.

Meanwhile, PML-N provincial spokesman Ikhtiar Wali Khan said in a statement that no one would be allowed to play with the life of Nawaz Sharif.

“We have already submitted an application to Nowshera police for registration of an FIR against Imran Khan in case of any medical problem to Nawaz Sharif,” he said and alleged that the rulers were using different methods to torture the PML-N leader.

He said that his party workers were ready to start agitation against the injustices, but the top leadership was asking them to wait and see. He said that Mr Sharif had the right to avail of all facilities, including quality medical care.

Ikhtiar Wali urged the government to provide medical treatment to the former prime minister as per advice of the medical board.

In Khar, PML-N workers staged a protest demonstration against the government for not providing proper health facilities to Nawaz Sharif.

Scores of the party workers and leaders participated in the demonstration held outside the Bajaur Press Club.

Demanding release of their leader, the workers also chanted slogans against both the federal and Punjab governments for their alleged denial to provide quality health facilities to the former prime minister.

They said that they were very concerned about the poor health of their leader and absence of proper facilities in the jail.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2019