Daily Times

It is binding upon Nawaz Sharif to prove his illness. Not satisfied with the reports presented by his party to a Punjab government committee, the provincial cabinet has decided not to extend the bail granted on medical grounds to the former prime minister. This means Sharif will have to return immediately from London only to be housed again in Kot Lakhpat jail. It was nothing short of miracle in the judicial history of Pakistan that Nawaz Sharif, serving jail in the Al-Azizia mill case, was granted bail for eight weeks by the Islamabad High Court on October 29, 2019 for treatment abroad. Later, the bail was extended for a further eight weeks. Again, it was to be automatically extended, therefore it was extended for 16 weeks, says Law Minister Raja Basharat. Those 16 weeks passed without any event; and a picture of Sharif dining out in a London eatery with other party lieutenants appeared on social media and caused uproar in the government. Since his departure, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has failed to make a case for an extension. The Islamabad High Court had also told him to contact the Punjab government for further relief.

The Punjab government seems to have a strong case for denying the bail. The Punjab law minister rightly says that during his stay in London Nawaz Sharif was not even admitted to any hospital. Basharat further says the Punjab cabinet has decided that there is no legal, moral or medical basis without any concrete proof to further extend Nawaz’s bail. The PML-N, which is not satisfied with the Punjab government’s decision, may approach the court once again. The party may face tough grilling in the court of law on the health condition and treatment of its leader. The perception is growing in the country that Sharif was given out-of-way relief by the government. Even government circles question the logic of allowing a convicted person to get treatment abroad. This argument is counter-productive. They face a barrage of questions about not improving health facilities for common prisoners. It is imperative for government functionaries to bring about a change to jail conditions. Side by side, Nawaz Sharif should follow the terms of his bail or face the consequences. *