No more extension in bail to Nawaz Sharif, says Punjab govt

The Punjab government has decided not to extend bail, granted by the court on humanitarian grounds, to PML-N Quaid Mian Nawaz Sharif who is currently undergoing treatment in London.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday and was announced by three ministers at a news inference.

While rejecting Nawaz Sharif’s plea to extend his bail on medical grounds, the Punjab government said it cannot give relief to the former prime minister on either medical or legal grounds.

In their joint press conference, Law Minister Raja Basharat, Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid and Information Fayazul Hassan Chohan said that despite spending 16 weeks in London for the treatment, Nawaz Sharif was not admitted to the hospital nor he underwent any operation.

“Nawaz Sharif was not admitted to the hospital that means the situation is not (as) critical,” said Raja Basharat, adding that the Punjab government has decided against giving further extension to the bail as requested by the PML-N’s supremo.

Dr Yasmin Rashid said that despite demanding the latest medical reports of Nawaz Sharif, his doctor asked the government to decide on the previous reports.

Raja Basharat added that now the Punjab government would transfer this case to the Centre, which will take over and decide on this case from now on.

Chohan said “We had to review the report after the completion of eight weeks,” adding that Nawaz Sharif’s bail has now stretched to sixteen weeks, double the limit.

Raja Basharat said “As the Punjab government has decided not to entertain the bail plea of Nawaz Sharif, the effect of the decision would render his bail cancelled.” He further said that the Punjab government would move to court in order to get Nawaz Sharif declared a proclaimed offender.

The Punjab ministers said this matter suggests that PML-N is seeking excuses to get the bail extended further, as Raja Basharat said “Rana Sanaullah also said that Nawaz’s cardiac process would take place on 24 February but there is no report.”

Dr Yasmin said that according to reports, Nawaz Sharif was not fit to travel, adding “We sent him to London in a condition good enough to travel.”

Chohan said, “The PML-N leaders seem to be affected by ‘Ronavirus’.”

Shehbaz and Maryam Reaction

Reacting sharply to Punjab government’s decision not to extend Nawaz Sharif’s bail, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif said the Punjab government’s move is condemnable.

In a statement, Shehbaz said “It’s regrettable. It is proof of rulers’ narrow-mindedness and political vendetta. The same Punjab government had signed papers for Nawaz Sharif’s treatment abroad and today the same government has ruled against its own decision.”

He said Punjab government’s lie that Nawaz Sharif’s treatment was possible here was highly condemnable. “All medical reports have been forwarded at the scheduled time. The rulers facing public’s wrath have nothing else to do politics on except Nawaz Sharif’s health,” he added.

Shehbaz Sharif ruled out any compromise on Nawas Sharif’s health, saying his treatment will continue as per directives of the doctors.

“It’s an act of attempted murder to impede the process of Nawaz’s treatment which is at a crucial stage,” Shehbaz declared.

PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz also condemned the government’s decision on her father's bail.

She said that Nawaz Sharif's treatment was being done in light of his doctors and they would do only what the doctors would recommend.

She also claimed that they had submitted all reports as per the court orders to the Punjab government.
Maryam alleged that "Imran Mafia" had pressed the Punjab administration for giving a decision against the former prime minister.