Medical report of Nawaz sought: IHC directs Services Hospital's MS to appear today

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought medical report of incarcerated prime minister Nawaz Sharif and directed medical superintendent of Services Hospital Lahore to appear before the court today (Friday). The court also issued notices to both sides, including the chief and home secretaries Punjab, to appear before the court fully prepared to respond to a petition moved by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif seeking release of his brother on bail as his health is deteriorating in jail.

"Let respondents No. 5 along with any doctor who is a member of the board of doctors treating Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appears in person along with latest medical record and documents. Office is also directed to issue notice the chief secretary as well as home secretary Punjab," read the court order.

"Learned counsel for the petitioner made a specific request for fixation of the case tomorrow (Friday); he was confronted that on Fridays a division bench does not ordinarily conduct hearings, however, he urged the court that since condition of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is grave, the case be fixed on 25-10-2019. In view of request by learned counsel, re-list the case tomorrow, ie, 25-10-2019. Office shall affect the service upon the respondents telephonically as well as other possible modes," it added.

Earlier in the day, the registrar office objected to the petition, saying Shahbaz Sharif was not the concerned party, but then the petition was accepted and fixed for hearing. The PML-N president moved a petition before IHC and sought suspension of the seven-year sentence awarded to Nawaz Sharif in Al-Azizia reference.

He said his elder brother should be released on bail for getting medical treatment either in Pakistan or abroad. He pleaded the court to release his brother so he could get proper treatment. Shahbaz Sharif said Nawaz Sharif's health is very poor and he is in distress due to various diseases and therefore he should be allowed treatment in Pakistan or abroad.

The hospital sources said that Nawaz Sharif's platelets being treated at Services Hospital had again started dropping, reducing to just 7,000 from 25,000. He is being administered medicines enhancing platelets. Nawaz Sharif had so far been administered five mega units of platelets.

Professor Ayaz Mahmood said that the condition of Nawaz Sharif is under control. Earlier, Nawaz Sharif's health condition improved after the number of platelets increased to 30,000. A six-member doctors' team has been deputed to provide Nawaz Sharif the best healthcare facilities round-the-clock.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019