Shahbaz asked to convince Nawaz to go abroad for medical treatment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif has received a message from certain high-placed quarters that he has to convince his brother, former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, to go abroad for medical treatment. 

Sources claim that Shehbaz has talked to Nawaz in this regard, but the latter has not yet given a definite answer to his brother. Other members of the Sharif family, including Nawaz's mother, his sister-in-law, and others, are also involved in the matter. 

According to sources, since the health condition of the former premier is deteriorating and unstable at best, almost the entire Sharif family is reportedly in favor of convincing Nawaz to go abroad for medical treatment, possibly to the United States. 

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The former prime minister, according to sources, was offered an exit to go abroad for medical reasons thrice in recent months. However, he declined on all three occasions. Since the health of Nawaz has deteriorated, this is the fourth attempt to convince him to leave Pakistan.

The daughter of the former premier, and PML-N vice president, Maryam Nawaz, it is said that she has a bright future in politics but needed to take a break from politics for some time. 

However, Nawaz Sharif has rejected these offers and insisted that he should be given relief based on merit. 

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Last week, after he was admitted to the Services Hospital, he was asked by his legal team to apply for bail on medical grounds because of his serious health condition. 

Nawaz refused to do it, after which Shehbaz Sharif decided to approach the Islamabad High Court for Nawaz’s bail. 

It is said that despite the best efforts of the doctors, it has not yet been diagnosed why Nawaz Sharif’s platelets drastically dropped to dangerous level last week. This undiagnosed problem and its medication, it is said, have caused heart and kidney complications. 

Also read: Shehbaz Sharif approaches IHC for Nawaz's bail

Nawaz Sharif’s mild heart attack two days ago, it is said, was also the consequence of the same complications. Medical experts say that if these conditions persist, and there is no diagnosis of platelets count drop, even the medical board may also recommend a trip abroad for treatment.

It is interesting to notice that staunch opponents of Nawaz Sharif, including the PTI and its coalition parties, which were previously opposed to Nawaz’s foreign treatment, have changed their positions, primarily fearing a strong backlash from public in case anything happens to the former prime minister in the present situation.

Apparently, owing to the same fears, the PTI governments at the Centre, in Punjab, and even the NAB, is not opposing bail applications for Nawaz Sharif. The PTI government’s stance is that if Nawaz is permitted to go abroad for treatment by the court, the regime will have no objection.