LAHORE: The Punjab government says it will provide medical care of his choice to incarcerated former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

“Nawaz Sharif will be taken to the hospital he will ask for except at private health facilities,” Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja said here on Tuesday.

Briefing reporters about the Punjab Assembly session starting from Wednesday (today), he said a convict could not be taken to any private hospital for security reasons.

He said when all medical facilities were being provided to Nawaz Sharif and he’s being extended the best care, there was no need for him to go abroad for the purpose.

Mr Sharif is serving a seven-year term in Kot Lakhpat jail in a corruption case.

Replying to a question about accepting opposition leader Hamza Shahbaz as Public Accounts Committee chairman, the minister said the PTI had a clear stance on the issue and that the government wished to take the opposition along in the province.

About forming the standing committees, he said recommendations in this regard had been prepared and elections to the bodies would be held after a consultation between the chief minister and the speaker.

He said the joint investigation team was looking into the forensic agency’s report on the Sahiwal tragedy, whereas a judicial commission had also begun its proceedings to search out the facts behinds the incident.

The minister said the PA session would take up Conflict of Interest Bill along with other legislative work while a resolution would also be moved on the successful visit of the Saudi crown prince.

The law minister said as per tradition pre-budget discussion would also be undertaken in the current session of the House.

He told a questioner that the local bodies bill prepared by former minister Aleem Khan would be sent to the law department soon.

Shahbaz: PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif has asked the government to implement the recommendations of the Jinnah Hospital’s medical board that examined former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Talking to the reporters after meeting with his elder brother at the Jinnah Hospital here on Tuesday, the former chief minister said there should not be any delay in treatment of Nawaz.

“We have concerns for the health of Nawaz,” he added.

To a question about the Indian propaganda in the wake of Pulwama attack, Shahbaz said Indian premier Narendra Modi was responsible for what was happening in India.

Maryam also met her father in the hospital.

Nawaz, who is serving a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case, was shifted to the hospital on Friday from Kot Lakhpat Jail for cardiac treatment.

The five-member special medical board that examined Mr Sharif reportedly submitted its report to the Punjab government.

Earlier board head Prof Dr Arif Tajamal said according to the results of his tests, Nawaz’s condition was stable.

According to a source, the board suggested angiography of Nawaz.

“In its report to the Punjab government, the board recommended that angiography of Mr Sharif should be carried out,” the source said.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2019