LAHORE: The Punjab government has turned down the PML-N request to shift the Opposition leader in the Punjab assembly to Ittefaq Hospital after he has contracted coronavirus. The PML-N deputy secretary Ata Tarar had written a letter to the Punjab chief secretary seeking shifting of Hamza Shahbaz to the Ittefaq Hospital from the Kot Lakhpat Jail on medical grounds. The PML-N sources have confirmed that Hamza Shahbaz's wife Dr Rabia has also contracted Covid-19. Hamza had met his wife and sister Javeria Shahbaz in jail on Saturday.

The sources added that Hamza is suffering from high fever for last few days and asked authorities to shift him to hospital. Shehbaz Sharif, in a tweet, also said, "My son has contracted coronavirus in jail. After facing NAB cases during Musharraf tenure, now he is fighting political revenge of NAB-Niazi nexus with utmost courage and steadfastness."

On the other hand, a three-member medical board has been constituted by the Punjab government for Hamza Shahbaz treatment. Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan on Monday said in a statement that the PML-N is making futile attempt to do politics on Hamza Shahbaz's health. "Doctors and professors will examine the PML-N leader and the decision to shift him to a government hospital will be taken afterward," he said, adding: "The PML-N's demand to shift Hamza Shahbaz to the Ittefaq Hospital or Raiwind palace is against the law, the opposition leader in Punjab will be provided complete medical care."

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020