Plea for removal from ECL: Counsel avoids giving LHC exact date for Nawaz Sharif’s return

LAHORE: Former premier Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer on Monday avoided giving an exact date to the Lahore High Court (LHC) for his return from London, saying he was not fit enough yet to travel back to the country.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Tariq Abbasi and Justice Chaudhry Mushtaq, was hearing a petition, filed by Nawaz Sharif, seeking removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

When asked by the court regarding Nawaz’s expected date of return, his counsel said the former premier was currently under treatment in London. Whether he will return or stay over there, the court asked. The court room burst into laughter when Justice Abbasi said in a lighter vein: “Court is asking about his return and someone else (Maryam) is ready to go abroad.”

Nawaz’s lawyer added that all of Nawaz’s medical reports were being submitted to the relevant authorities periodically with due diligence. At this, the prosecution questioned why Nawaz had not returned though his four-week travel permission had expired. He said Nawaz Sharif had been seen in a picture, dinning in a hotel.

The question prompted Justice Chaudhry Mushtaq to ask the prosecution lawyer to refrain from giving political statements and stick to the law. The court observed that according to the order, issued by the LHC, Nawaz must return to the country after getting a fitness certificate from his doctors.

The court said the government could filea separate request if they did not believe reports regarding Nawaz’s health. The court asked the government to go through his medical reports and inform the judges about its standpoint. A state counsel contended Nawaz Sharif should have moved a fresh plea if he intended to prolong his London stay.

At this, the bench remarked the government could file a petition for bringing him back. The court adjourned the hearing for a later date and asked additional attorney general to submit reply to the reports. Last week, the reports prepared by cardiac consultant Surgeon David Lawrence were submitted to the LHC.

“Nawaz Sharif’s condition was not stable yet. He requires surgery, which could not be conducted till improvement in his health condition,” reports said.