Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, on Saturday, raised questions over the silence on incarcerated former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s health condition since he departed to London for his treatment.
She said that once “every breathe he took was being counted”, and questioned the silence over his health condition now that he is abroad.
PM Imran reveals what he was thinking when Nawaz Sharif stepped into the plane.#ARYNews #PMImranKhan
— ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) November 22, 2019
She said, “They (PML-N leaders) kept claiming that Mian Sahib’s life is in grave danger, and the media would count every breath he took. Now that he has gone to London, we have no updates on his health from his representatives.”
Nawaz Sharif had departed for London on Tuesday, after 20 days of being granted bail by the Islamabad High Court on medical grounds in the Al Azizia corruption case.
No Updates on Nawaz’s Health
Addressing a press briefing in Sialkot, Dr. Firdous said, “The people of Pakistan have been closely following the news reports on Nawaz’s health condition, and they wish to have more news about his ongoing treatment. The media also demands updates.”
The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister said that the “truth cannot be hidden” and reminded the people of the promises made by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to the nation.
Read more: Nawaz’s Sickness Evaporated seeing London bound plane: Khan takes Dig at health ‘Drama’
She said, “the former prime minister, with his sleeves, rolled up, was seen visiting every village in the country and declaring that he will not only respect the vote while residing in Pakistan but also, he will dedicate his entire life and death to the country.”
Dr. Firdous questioned why the doctors in London had not issued any kind of advisory or update with regards to Nawaz Sharif’s ongoing treatment. She said, “The doctors had said that his illness could only be treated in a facility abroad. But now, ever since he has departed for London, we have not seen any recommendations given by the doctors abroad.”
She said, “We fully understand the true nature of Nawaz Sharif’s illness and the agenda of the Sharif family behind it.”
Shahbaz’s Role as Guarantor
Dr. Firdous criticized the “role” played by Nawaz’s brother and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif during the course of the former Prime Minister’s illness. She said that it is for the first time in the history that an individual, who is involved in multiple corruption cases, is considered fit to assume the role of a guarantor.
In order to obtain permission for Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for his medical treatment, Shahbaz had signed an undertaking to the Lahore High Court, in which he pledged that to “ensure return” of the PML-N supremo “within four weeks or on certification by doctors that he has regained his health and is fit to return back to Pakistan”.
Mianwali:
Nawaz Sharif Jahaz Dekh Kar Theek Howe Ya London Ki Hawa Se, Tehqiqat Ki Zarorat, Serhian Charhte Dekha To Heran Reh Gaya, PM Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/o0m8t4mScQ— ❤️ (@WaqasLalwani) November 22, 2019
Dr. Firdous’ comments have come in the wake of the doubts expressed by Prime Minister Imran Khan over Nawaz Sharif’s health condition. The Premier said that he was astonished to see the manner in which the former Prime Minister hopped up the stairs of the air ambulance.
Addressing a gathering in Mianwali on Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said, “After watching him on the stairs of the plane, I once again examined the medical reports which revealed that he had a heart condition, his kidneys were not functioning adequately, and that he is suffering from diabetes.”
Read more: Who “actually” allowed Nawaz Sharif to leave for London?
The Prime Minister observed that the medical reports of Nawaz Sharif stated that he is suffering from 15 diseases, including cardiac issues, which reflected that the PML-N supremo was at risk of dying. He added, “However, after seeing Nawaz board the air ambulance, I was astonished to see how his health improved at the first glance of his ride bound to London.”