Daily Times

The Lahore High Court on Friday approved the bail of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case on medical grounds, a private TV channel reported.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif had filed the bail application for the release of his brother from the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The decision to grant bail was announced by a two-member bench headed by Justice Ali Baqir. According to the short order, the former prime minister will have to submit two surety bonds worth Rs 10 million each for his release in the case.

During proceedings in the court, NAB did not object to the bail plea. In a statement issued later in the day, the anti-graft watchdog said it chose not to challenge bail on humanitarian grounds.

Although the former prime minister is set to be released from the custody of NAB, he will not be free until a request seeking the suspension of his sentence, and release on bail, in the Al Azizia case is granted by the Islamabad High Court.

During the proceedings, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Principal Dr Mahmood Ayaz told the court that the former prime minister’s condition is ‘extremely serious’. He submitted a detailed medical report of Nawaz Sharif and told the court that a medical board, which also includes Nawaz’s personal physician, meets twice every day to discuss the PML-N supremo’s condition.

Dr Ayaz told the court that Nawaz’s platelet count is constantly reducing, adding that the hospital had conducted tests to see if Nawaz was suffering from dengue. “We inject platelets every day but they destruct every day,” he said and added, “Something or the other is destroying Nawaz Sharif’s platelets.” He said steroids will have to be injected in order to treat Nawaz. “We have to conduct a bone marrow test but we cannot inject a needle in Nawaz Sharif’s bone,” he said, and informed the court that Nawaz is a diabetes patient and is suffering from several other ailments as well. While commenting on the verdict, former chief minister Shehbaz Sharif said Nawaz Sharif is seriously ill and the nation needs to pray for his health. He added that the bail of Maryam Nawaz should also be approved on medical grounds.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday adjourned the hearing of a petition seeking suspension of Nawaz’s sentence in the Al-Azizia case and granting him bail on medical grounds.

The petition was filed on Thursday by PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.

A two-member bench consisting Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the petition and inquired about the health of former prime minister, to which Services Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Saleem Cheema – a member of the medical board – responded that Nawaz’s condition is ‘dangerous’. The doctor noted that several tests need to be conducted but have been put on hold until the PML-N leader feels better. “If immediate treatment is not done, his life is in danger,” said the doctor when the court stated that the situation was not described as dangerous in the medical report. Cheema added the point was mentioned towards the end in the report. The doctor also replied in the affirmative when inquired if the former prime minister was provided with the best possible treatment.

Cheema further noted that the three-time prime minister suffers from high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiac ailments. The IHC judge asked if there was a threat to the Nawaz’s life, to which Dr Cheema said, “If he doesn’t receive immediate treatment, his life is in danger.” He added that Nawaz’s personal physician Dr Adnan Khan is aware of the situation. “Is there any risk factor? Is this a fatal disease?” asked Justice Kayani, to which Dr Cheema responded, “If it is not treated.”

Justice Farooq said doctors are the best judges in this situation and they can provide the correct information regarding the medical treatment. The court asked Dr Adnan what his concerns were, adding that if he wanted to, he could attend the hearing or submit his concerns in writing. Concluding the proceedings, Justice Kayani said that they were not medical experts and the doctors will have to explain whether there was a threat to Nawaz’s life. He said Nawaz cannot be granted bail on a legal basis; however, the court is looking at the petition on basis of the former prime minister’s medical condition.

The hearing was adjourned as the five-day treatment cycle of Nawaz will end on Tuesday and doctors will be in a better position to report on former prime minister’s health.