Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan 'only after getting well

 LAHORE: Nawaz Sharif will return to Pakistan "only after getting well', his party announced on Friday, indicating that the previous prime minister might not meet the judicial deadline of September 10 to seem for a hearing during a corruption case against him.

The Islamabad supreme court (IHC) early in the week had directed the three-time prime minister and therefore the supremo of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), currently in London, to seem before it and surrender to the authorities by September 10 or face legal proceedings for absconsion.

A division bench of the supreme court -- comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Aamer Farooq -- had also directed the deputy attorney general to verify the medical condition of 70-year-old Sharif through the Pakistani High Commission in London.

The bench had issued the directives while hearing appeals filed by Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Captain (retd) Mohammad Safdar against conviction within the Avenfield and Al-Azizia Steel Mills cases.

"It isn't possible that Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan by September 10 and faces cases against him, before getting well. His heart- related surgery is scheduled in London during a few weeks and he has got to undergo the treatment,” a senior PML-N leader told PTI on Friday.

"Today we also had a call of the most party leadership that was unanimous on one point that 'Mian Sahib' shouldn't return to the country till he gets well," the leader said, adding that on subsequent hearing of the case in IHC on September 10 the court are going to be apprised of Sharif's 'serious condition' together with his fresh reports from London doctors and his treatment schedule.

He said Sharif was keen to return but his family and party leaders were against it.

The PML-N leader further said it'll be difficult for Prime Minister Imran Khan to face Sharif in Pakistan.

"The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) government is merely doing politics on the health of Nawaz Sharif, otherwise it's not curious about bringing him back due to his 'massive political clout' within the country," he said.

Sharif's younger brother and Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif has also made it clear that Nawaz cannot return till he's medically fit.

"Nawaz Sharif will return to the country if doctors in London allow him. Nawaz Sharif's health is serious and once he gets well he will appear before courts," Shahbaz said, who now holds the position of PML-N president.

Shahbaz asked Imran Khan and therefore the PTI leaders to prevent doing politics on someone's health. "His condition is serious and his treatment is scheduled in London shortly," he added.

The last time the Sharif family had submitted Nawaz's report to the Lahore supreme court was over a month ago.

Signed by Dr David Lawrence, a London-based consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, the report said medical investigations and opinions are indicative of significantly reduced blood supply to Nawaz's heart and its impaired functionality.

"Nawaz must undergo coronary catheterisation as a big a part of his heart is in danger . A multidisciplinary approach was warranted for his safety while undergoing an invasive procedure thanks to underlying ITP (unstable platelet count) and co-morbidities (hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease) which carry a big risk of bleeding and possibility of a procedural or peri-procedural adverse cardiac event," the report said.

The report said Nawaz are going to be scheduled for an invasive cardiac procedure once the hospital starts planning elective procedures amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, at the time of the procedure Nawaz must be in stable condition as he's within the high-risk category.