IHC seeks fresh medical report of Nawaz in Al-Azizia case

Ag APP

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday sought fresh medical report of former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif till February 20, in his bail plea on medical grounds in Al-Azizia Steel Mills verdict. The bench, however, adjourned the main appeal of Nawaz Sharif till April 2, challenging accountability court decision in Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference.

An IHC divisional bench comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani resumed hearing on miscellaneous petitions of former prime minister against his imprisonment sentence in the corruption reference.

During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani asked whether the Jinnah Hospital had prepared final medical report of the prisoner. Nawaz’s counsel Khawaja Haris informed the court that the hospital yet had not issued final report regarding the health condition of his client. The representative of Punjab government apprised the bench that Jinnah Hospital had facilities for treatment of several diseases. Nawaz had been shifted to this hospital on the recommendation of special medical board. On query of the court, he pleaded that Home Department had not any role in formation of medical boards except the special one. Justice Kiyani remarked that the question was that whether the patient was being provided medical facilities.

Had he any objection on the treatment from Jinnah Hospital? Haris said he had not met with his client on this topic but he believed his client must have an objection as Jinnah Hospital had no proper treatment for heart patients.

The heart related diseased could be treated at Punjab Institute of Cardiology. Justice Aamer Farooq noted that reports of four medical boards had come on record so far. The bench also asked about the medical report of Jinnah Hospital.

The official of Punjab government expressed unawareness about this. He informed the court that Nawaz was shifted to hospital on February 15, and being provided all medical facilities.

The ward concerned of that hospital had been declared sub-jail. He said the government would act upon the recommendation of doctors regarding the treatment of Nawaz Sharif.

Haris pleaded that the important issue was that process of diagnosing diseases of his client was still uncompleted. The Jinnah Hospital had no Cardiac Unit while the heart issue was main disease of Nawaz Sharif.

He contended that health condition of Nawaz Sharif could deteriorate in jail and prayed the court to suspend his imprisonment sentence for seeking proper medical treatment. Justice Kiyani said medical reports of Jinnah Hospital were still awaited. The Nawaz’s counsel would also like to give remaining arguments in light of these reports, he said. The court sought Nawaz’s medical reports from Jinnah Hospital till February 20, and adjourned hearing of the case.