Nawaz Sharif's air ambulance lands at Heathrow airport

LONDON: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif 's air ambulance landed safely at Heathrow airport, on Tuesday. 

This was announced by Nawaz's personal physician Dr Adnan Khan on Twitter.

"Former PM #NawazSharif on-board Qatar Airways Air Ambulance A7-MED has landed safely at Heathrow, London-UK," tweeted Dr Adnan. 

The ambulance, which arrived at 8:45am at Lahore Airport has Qatar as its first destination, from where it will continue its journey towards London.

Seven people are travelling with Nawaz, along with his brother Shehbaz and physician Dr Adnan.

PrimeMinister Imran Khan had said that his government had no objection to Nawaz travelling abroad. He said yesterday that Nawaz had assured the court that he will return to Pakistan upon completion of his treatment. From the airport, Nawaz arrived at his son Hasan Nawaz’s flat.

Hussain Nawaz arrived in London from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening. Ahead of Nawaz’s arrival at Hasan’s flat, former finance minister Ishaq Dar, Sharif’s son-in-law Ali Darand, Sharif’s youngest daughter Asma Sharif arrived at the Avenfield Apartments.

Suleman Shehbaz Sharif also arrived to meet his uncle with his wife. Nawaz Sharif had flown to Doha from Lahore and departed to London after refueling and a brief rest. A Sharif family spokesmen said that they would be consulting doctors in London and then take a decision.

He said that Nawaz Sharif will be treated at Hasan Nawaz’s flat and a room has been reserved for it. The room has been equipped with the necessary equipment as advised by doctors, said the source. A source at the Harley Street Clinic said that two doctors have been engaged and they will review the situation and then a further decision will be taken.

According to PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, the air ambulance has an in-built intensive care unit (ICU) and a fully functional operation theater.

Doctors think Nawaz should be treated in US: Marriyum

Earlier, Aurangzeb told Geo News that doctors did a thorough medical examination of the former premier.

She said that the doctors are of the opinion that Nawaz will have to be taken to the US for treatment. She further said that they will consult the doctors in London and then take a decision.

She said that had the former premier left the country 15 days earlier, then by now his treatment would have been underway, adding that the former premier had been on a high dose of steroids for 15 days.

The former information minister stated that the party affairs will be handled by the senior leadership of the PML-N in absence of Shehbaz.

Nawaz to leave country by showing court order

Immigration sources informed Geo News that Nawaz's name will remain on the Exit Control List (ECL) despite the court's order that allows him to go abroad for medical treatment.

According to immigration officials, since the court granted the former premier an exemption on medical grounds to travel outside the country, he will have to produce the court order to get past immigration officials.

Sources said that the name of the former premier will remain on the ECL as per the law, but his exemption according to the court order will be mentioned in the computerised record.

Nawaz will have to produce his passport and the court order before the immigration officials to fly abroad from the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.

Lahore High Court's order 

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday allowed the removal of Nawaz Sharif's name from the Exit Control List (ECL) without any conditions for a time period of four weeks.

In its decision, the LHC said that in case Nawaz's health doesn't improve then the time period can be extended, adding that the government officials will be able to contact Nawaz through the Pakistani embassy.