News Analysis |
According to local media reports a special medical board which was constituted for overseeing former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s health conducted his detailed examination at Kot Lakhpat Jail on Wednesday. It is important to mention here that the medical board, which was formed on January 25 by the Punjab government, comprises cardiac experts from Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) and Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology (RIC).
During the examination, the panel conducted blood tests, checked his resting heart rate and as well as his heart rate while he is walking or exercising and heard the former premiers complains regarding his cardiac illness. The Punjab Medical Board will now determine the course of further treatment after receiving recommendations from the panel.
The matter became irksome to the Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who once asked why everyone who was arrested by NAB fell ill and remarked that NAB should construct a state-of-the-art hospital to treat those people.
It merits mentioning here that Mr. Sharif is currently serving seven-year imprisonment at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail after he was convicted by an accountability court in the Al Aziza corruption reference case filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The court maintained that Mr. Sharif has assets beyond known sources and he was unable to provide any money trial before the court.
Mr. Sharif’s fall from grace initiated after the Panama Papers exposed the companies owned by his children since the time they were dependent on him. Initially, the PML-N and its leadership refuted any involvement and decided to be a part of the case in the Supreme Court but once the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) exposed him, the matter became more complex and critical for Mr. Sharif’s political career.
Read more: Nawaz rubbishes speculations about him seeking ‘NRO’
In Pakistan, it has become an established norm now that anyone who is powerful and commits a crime falls ill. There are many examples like Dr. Asim Hussain, former head of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, PPP leader Sharjeel Memon, PML-N’s Muhammad Ishaq Dar, and Shahrukh Jatoi, a young man from Sindh who murdered a son of a police officer in Karachi. All of these men were provided with better health facilities at hospitals to keep them away from the prisons.
The matter became irksome to the Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who once asked why everyone who was arrested by NAB fell ill and remarked that NAB should construct a state-of-the-art hospital to treat those people. He further said that some people were exploiting the law that allows prisoners with health problems to be transferred to a hospital. “It has become a regular practice,” he claimed. “Medical boards grant favors to people accused of crimes.” Justice Khosa was hearing Sharjeel Memon’s bail application in December 2017.
Coming days are crucial to determine whether Sharifs will face the courts and remain in Pakistan or they really have signed a deal to leave the country and quit politics.
Some analysts claim that a deal has been signed between the Sharif family and the establishment. Jan Achakzi, a prominent analyst, tweeted some days ago that “Some BREAKING NEWS: 1) #Nawaz Sharif has almost got a DEAL. He will sign a contract to go into self-exile on pretext of treatment. 2) #Maryam Nawaz will take over. 3) #Shahbaz Sharif will also get NRO & leave Pakistan 4) Both will enjoy the looted money in retirement life”
Some BREAKING NEWS:
1) #Nawaz Sharif has almost got a DEAL. He will sign a contract to go into self exile on pretext of treatment.
2) #Maryam Nawaz will take over.
3) #Shahbaz Sharif will also get NRO & leave Pakistan
4) Both will enjoy the looted money in retirement life
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) January 24, 2019
Some segments of media and experts are of the opinion that Mr. Sharif and his daughter have now discerned the emerging political situation in the country and they find no place. Therefore, Sharifs are seeking a deal and ready to leave the country, they add. But PTI leadership has confirmed more than once that there will be no compromise on the rule of law at any cost under any circumstances. “If they think I’ll offer them an NRO, they are mistaken. I shall never ever sign any deal with Sharifs or Zardari,” Prime Minister Imran Khan has said this on multiple times.
Read more: Is Malik Riaz organizing a NRO deal for Sharif?
Coming days are crucial to determine whether Sharifs will face the courts and remain in Pakistan or they really have signed a deal to leave the country and quit politics.