The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday directed the authorities to present a detailed medical report of incarcerated prime minister Nawaz Sharif on upcoming Tuesday.
The court issued these directions while hearing a plea seeking suspension of Sharif's imprisonment sentence in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference on medical grounds.
The medics informed the court that a five-day cycle of treatment of Sharif would end by Monday and then they would be in a position to prepare his medical report as he's currently undergoing treatment.
A division bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani heard a petition filed by PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, seeking suspension of imprisonment sentence of Sharif.
Sharif also moved a petition to become party in this case following the directives of the bench.
The Medical Superintendent Services Hospital Lahore Dr Saleem informed the bench that health condition of Sharif is critical. A similar medical report of the accused has also been submitted to Lahore High Court (LHC), he said, adding that platelets of Sharif have been deteriorating.
He said that the doctors so far couldn't find out why platelets of Sharif are reducing. The personal doctor of the former prime minister, Dr Adnan is also aware of his health situation.
To a question by Justice Kiyani whether there is a risk to the life of Sharif, the doctors said that it could be dangerous if Sharif didn't go through a proper treatment.
The counsel for the petitioner Khawaja Haris said that Sharif is suffering from multiple diseases and he is currently in critical condition.
He said that they want treatment of Sharif from the medics and hospital of his consent - whether inside or outside Pakistan.
Haris said that Sharif has a medical history, adding that stents had also been installed in his heart due to cardiac issues.
Justice Farooq said that the accused has been suffering from kidney and heart diseases as well.
To another question whether the medics are also looking into these issues, Dr Saleem said that all relevant medics are available in hospital.
He said that Sharif needs to stay in hospital and can not be allowed to travel at this stage.
Justice Kiyani said that it is necessary for the patient to be satisfied with his treatment.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abassi pleaded that an identical petition has also been moved to LHC. To this Justice Farooq remarked that doctors are relevant judges in this matter and they have not been blamed for poor treatment so far. The hearing was adjourned till Tuesday.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2019