LHC allows Hanif Abbasi’s shifting to hospital

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered ailing Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hanif Abbasi be shifted to Lahore’s Shaikh Zayed Hospital for medical treatment.

A division bench, comprising Justice Aalia Neelum and Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, passed the orders on Thursday over a civil miscellaneous application filed by the PML-N leader seeking directions for his treatment.

At the outset of the proceedings, Abbasi’s counsel argued that his client was suffering from kidney and heart disease and his treatment was not possible in jail. He pleaded the court to issue directives for Abbasi’s treatment in a hospital.

However, in response to a court query, a law officer argued that Abbasi’s medical reports should be sought first. At this, the bench observed it was a matter of human health, therefore, it was mandatory to provide medical treatment to the petitioner. While disposing of the application, the court ordered the PML-N leader be moved to Shaikh Zayed Hospital.

Meanwhile, the bench adjourned the hearing of Abbasi’s appeal against his conviction in the ephedrine case till April 11. Abbasi had requested the bench to set aside his conviction and order his release as the trial court failed to appreciate the facts of the case.

He also pleaded for the suspension of the sentence and release on bail till final decision on the appeal. In July last year, an anti-narcotics court sentenced Abbasi to life in prison in the eight-year-old ephedrine quota case.