LAHORE: Not satisfied with earlier two medical reports, the Punjab government has asked ‘ailing’ former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to submit ‘more detailed reports’ by Friday (today) so that it could decide whether to allow to extend his stay abroad.

“Provide requisite medical reports by Jan 31, failing thereby, the competent authority will decide the matter of your application as per the available facts brought on record,” says a letter written by the Punjab government to Mr Sharif on Jan 28.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has termed the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led government’s letter a move to politicise the matter. “We have submitted fresh medical reports on Mr Sharif based on his latest tests to the Punjab government. What kind of fresh or detailed reports the government is asking for. One wonders what it (government) wants to establish,” said PML-N Punjab information secretary Azma Bokhari.

Talking to Dawn, she said Mr Sharif would undergo a cardiac procedure next week and it was mentioned in the latest reports. “The three-time premier had gone abroad on the permission of the court and on its directive an official of the Pakistan High Commission in London regularly visits Nawaz Sharif to have an update on his health,” Ms Bokhari said.

PML-N terms move attempt to politicise matter

His medical reports duly authorised and signed by his doctors in London had been submitted to the Lahore High Court, she said. “And we are not bothered about the PTI government’s tactics in this regard.”

Another PML-N leader in London told Dawn that Mr Sharif would reply to the Punjab government attaching whatever new medical reports were available.

Mr Sharif’s personal physician Dr Adnan Khan said in a tweet on Thursday that he (Sharif ) was going to be hospitalised in coming days. “Nawaz Sharif to undergo cardiac procedure next week.” He also said Mr Sharif had pre-admission evaluation and investigations on Jan 28. “The hospitalisation is planned & finalised in coming week to a cardiac centre of an NHS Trust Hospital. He will undergo cardiac catheterization/coronary intervention to treat complex coronary artery disease.”

Earlier, the Punjab government had rejected Mr Sharif’s medical reports submitted to it on Dec 23 seeking an extension in his stay abroad on the expiry of the four-week period allowed by the high court to visit London for medical treatment. With his application, Mr Sharif had attached his medical reports, but the Buzdar administration sought fresh reports after his London cafe photo went viral last month. According to those reports, “Mr Sharif is receiving treatment for the stability of his platelets. He is also a patient of hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease.”

The medical reports prepared by the London doctors have not so far advised Mr Sharif about air travel. Dr David Lawrence, a cardiac surgeon known for performing minimally invasive chest surgery and lung cancer surgery, penned the report detailing Mr Nawaz’s medical history from 2003 to 2019 as well as his current treatment plan. “The stability of healthcare management is of vital importance for the patient, hence he [Nawaz] should remain under the care of his healthcare providers in the UK until his diseases are adequately addressed,” said Dr Lawrence.

Upon receiving the ‘fresh’ reports in mid December, the Punjab health department constituted a 14-member medical board, headed by Services Hospital Patron Dr Mahmood Ayaz, to solicit its opinion on the matter to decide whether to allow Mr Sharif an extension in his stay abroad or not.

The board reportedly termed Mr Sharif’s reports ‘insufficient’ to form conclusive opinion whether to reject or approve his application.

Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid was not available for comments.

The PML-N has invited Dr Rashid to London to verify facts about the health of Mr Sharif by herself. The PTI on the other hand has asked Mr Sharif to return to the country if he is well to honour his commitment to the court and complete his jail term in the Al-Azizia Mills corruption case.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2020