From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Ex-Prime Minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday had been discharged from Lahore’s Services Hospital, where he was undergoing a medical treatment for 16 days due to fluctuation in his platelets count.
According to details, the former premier walked towards the ambulance outside the hospital without any support. Nawaz Sharif has reached his residence in Jati Umra along with his daughter Maryam Nawaz, his mother and brother Shehbaz Sharif.
Meanwhile, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb told that as per doctors’ advice, an intensive care unit (ICU) has been established at Nawaz Sharif‘s house for proper monitoring of his health condition.
On the occasion, stringent security measures were taken to avoid any untoward incident.The ecstatic PML-N workers welcomed their leader with rose petals and chanted slogans as he came out of the hospital.
On October 21, Nawaz Sharif was rushed to the Services Hospital from Kot Lakhpat Jail after his platelets dropped to a dangerously low level with his doctors raising alarming concerns.
Dr Adnan Khan, a personal physician of Sharif, had informed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government about the deteriorating condition of ex-PM and urged to immediately shift him to the hospital for medical treatment.
Later, incarcerated former PM was diagnosed with acute immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), a disorder that leads to an abrupt and sharp drop in blood platelets, according to a medical board.
On October 25, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had bailed Nawaz Sharif indefinitely on medical grounds in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case, 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.
Keeping in view the health condition of the former PM, Islamabad High Court (IHC), on October 30, had granted him bail for eight weeks over two surety bonds worth Rs2 million each.
The IHC announced, “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.”
During the proceedings, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had opposed Nawaz Sharif’s treatment abroad and permanent release in the case, saying that a bail for specified period can be granted to him.
The opinion of doctors was respectable as they were the experts, however, they didn’t say that ex-PM’s treatment was not possible in Pakistan, the NAB maintained.
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.
