Nawaz Sharif gets 8-week bail on medical grounds in Al-Azizia case

IHC has suspended Nawaz Sharif's sentence in Al-Azizia case for eight weeks.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted former prime minister Nawaz Sharif bail for eight weeks to obtain medical treatment.

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard Shehbaz Sharif’s request to grant Nawaz Sharif bail on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia corruption reference.

Announcing the verdict, the court granted Sharif bail for eight weeks to get medical treatment. He has been ordered to deposit two bail bonds worth Rs2 million each.

“In case the indisposition of petitioner No.2 (Nawaz Sharif) continues, he before the expiry of perod of eight weeks may approach the Government of Punjab under Section 401 (2) Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 and until the decision of the Provincial Government on the application, he shall continue to remain on bail. However, if petitioner No. 2 does not approach the Provincial Government within the period mentioned hereinabove this order shall cease to have effect on lapse of period of eight weeks and the bail granted shall stand revoked/cancelled,” the IHC announced. 

Also Read: Nawaz Sharif fighting for life: doctor

Earlier, during the proceedings, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) opposed Nawaz Sharif’s treatment abroad and permanent bail in the case, saying that a bail for specified period can be granted to him. The opinion of doctors is respectable as they are the experts, however, they have not said that ex-PM’s treatment is not possible in Pakistan, the NAB maintained.

Meanwhile, Justice Aamir Farooq said, “We have four options in this case. First, we can grant permanent bail to Nawaz Sharif. Second, we can approve Nawaz’s bail for specified time period. Third, we can forward his bail plea matter to Punjab government and fourth, we can also dispose of his petition.” As the hearing resumed in the afternoon today, Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar told the court that Nawaz Sharif is satisfied with the medical treatment at Services Hospital where he was admitted on October 21.

Justice Aamir Farooq remarked that the reason behind summoning Punjab CM is to know about the medical facilities for the prisoners over which, the CM said he has visited eight jails in one year and that all the convicts are being given suitable facilities.

However, after recording the statement, CM Buzdar left the court.

Nawaz’s fresh medical reports submitted in IHC

During the hearing today, Medical Superintendent of the hospital Dr. Saleem Shahzad Cheema submitted Nawaz Sharif’s fresh reports, stating that he is suffering from heart and kidney diseases. The former premier’s health condition is still not stable due to fluctuation in his platelets count that must be above one lac to be considered as normal, the report revealed.

Nawaz Sharif’s personal doctor Dr Adnan, while responding to court’s question, said that his patient is being given life saving medicines whereas the board has also decided to hold his complete body scan to find out the sickness cause. “I am treating Nawaz Sharif from past 20 years and I know his health is critical as he is fighting for life,” he further told the court.

On his turn, MS Dr Saleem informed that the former PM had suffered heart attack when injections and steroids were given to him to raise the count of platelets.

It is to be mentioned here that IHC had granted interim bail to Nawaz Sharif till today on medical grounds in Al-Azizia reference and directed him to submit two bail bonds worth Rs2 million each.

The decision came after 69-year-old was taken to Services Hospital when his blood platelet count dropped to dangerous levels.

LHC grants bail to Nawaz Sharif in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case

On October 25, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had bailed Nawaz Sharif indefinitely on medical grounds, days after he was taken to Services Hospital from Kot Lakhpat Jail after deterioration of his health.

The ruling had come after doctors confirmed Sharif was suffering from an autoimmune blood disorder requiring immediate medical attention.

Nawaz Sharif s platelets count continues to fluctuate 

The medical board at Lahore’s Services Hospital has conducted examination of under-treatment Nawaz Sharif as his platelets count continues to fluctuate.

Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Principal Dr Mahmood Ayaz Dr Mehmood Ayyaz, in an informal talk to media, said steroids and injections administered to Nawaz to raise platelet count have created more problems for him as his kidneys are being affected. Sharif was sentenced to seven years in prison in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference on 24 December 2018. Rs1.5 billion and US $25 million fine, a disqualification of 10 years from holding any public office was part of the sentences awarded to the former premier.