Nawaz reaches London for treatment

LONDON: Nawaz Sharif arrived here Tuesday night in an air ambulance to receive medical treatment - a month after the three-time prime minister was released on bail from a seven-year sentence.

Punjab’s former chief minister Shahbaz Sharif accompanied his 69-year-old brother to London, along with Dr Adnan, patient’s personal physician.

The Lahore High Court had allowed Nawaz Sharif one-time permission to travel to London after doctors established that Sharif’s life was at risk and he was suffering from an auto-immune blood disorder, high blood pressure and deteriorating kidney function.

From airport, Nawaz arrived at Hasan Nawaz Sharif’s flat. Hussain Nawaz arrived in London from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening. Ahead of Nawaz Sharif’s arrival at Hasan’s flat, former finance minister Ishaq Dar, Sharif’s son-in-law Ali Dar and Sharif’s youngest daughter Asma Sharif arrived at the Avenfield apartments. Suleman Shahbaz, along with his wife, also reached the flat to meet his uncle.

Nawaz had flown to Doha from Lahore and departed for London after refuelling and brief rest.

A Sharif family spokesman said they would be consulting doctors in London and then take a decision. He said Nawaz Sharif would be treated at Hasan Nawaz’s flat and a room had been reserved for his treatment, which is equipped with the necessary equipment as advised by doctors.

A source at the Harley Street Clinic said two doctors had been engaged by the Sharif family, who would review the health condition of the patient and make a decision.

Our correspondents add from Lahore: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday morning left the country for London by an air ambulance. Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader was diagnosed with an immune system disorder and other diseases.

The air ambulance arrived at Allama Iqbal International Airport from Doha at 9am on Tuesday and was parked at the Hajj Terminal.

Sources at Allama Iqbal airport said medical files of ailing Nawaz were handed over to the medical team travelling with him. Doctors conducted blood tests prior to his departure.

At Jati Umra, residence of the Sharif family, his mother, daughter Maryam Nawaz and other relatives saw him off amid emotional scenes. A large number of party leaders and workers were present there. They shouted anti-government slogans and showered rose-petals on his motorcade. Some of them also accompanied Nawaz in their vehicles from Jati Umra to airport.

A good number of PML-N workers and leaders including Khwaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Raja Zafarul Haq and others were also present at the airport.

Earlier, Nawaz Sharif was admitted to Services Hospital Lahore, and was released on humanitarian grounds on Oct 26 by the Islamabad High Court in the Al-Azizia corruption reference.

According to PML-N leader Pervaiz Rashid, Nawaz Sharif may go to the USA after going through a detailed check-up in a London clinic. During his travel, he will stay in Doha for two hours. In a statement issued earlier on Tuesday, Ms Aurangzeb said doctors completed a medical examination of Nawaz Sharif ahead of his departure, and he was administered heavy doses of steroids and medicines to ensure that his condition remains stable during travel. She said treatment would have already been initiated had Nawaz Sharif been allowed to go abroad 15 days ago, as per recommended by the medical team.