LONDON: Shehbaz Sharif, the former Punjab chief minister and leader of the opposition in National Assembly, will be returning to Pakistan before the budget session for the fiscal year 2019-20 in the parliament on May 24.
Speaking to media, the opposition leader laughed off rumours that he has escaped from Pakistan and will not be returning.
When asked about his return, Shehbaz confirmed that he would be back in Pakistan in a matter of days. “I can confirm that I will be back in Pakistan before the budget session. I have a few medical check-ups to attend to in the next few days and I will be returning to Pakistan after that. It could be much sooner than the budget session, subject to clearance from the doctors.”
Separately, media has learnt that Shehbaz has appointment with a West London cancer specialist on May 8, and then another appointment on May 14. It’s likely that he may be suggested a few more tests after which he will be returning to Pakistan.
Fake news have made rounds in the last two weeks on social media that Shehbaz may not be returning to Pakistan and while several PMLN leaders — including Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Khawaja Asif — have confirmed that the opposition leader will be returning, it’s for the first time that Shehbaz himself has confirmed his return date, putting to rest all rumours.
Shehbaz has been in London for over three weeks now and has met a number of doctors during the course of his stay. He has undergone various tests as part of his medical check-ups, especially for the pain he developed while in custody of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The opposition leader has met doctors for consultations relating to his chronic backache, with the latest episode starting in December 2018. He has also met the cancer specialist, whom he has been consulting for several years.
