PM Imran took democratic decision on allowing Nawaz to fly abroad: Firdous

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran took the democratic decision when he allowed Nawaz Sharif to go abroad for medical treatment, said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Firdous Ashiq Awan, on Tuesday. 

READ MORE: Federal Cabinet gives green signal to take Nawaz's name off ECL

The prime minister's aide was holding a press conference where she said that most members of the cabinet had wanted the government to allow Nawaz to fly abroad for treatment. 

"There were some members of the federal cabinet who put forward their reservations as well," she said. "The prime minister took the democratic decision by giving the green signal to take Nawaz's name off the ECL."

Awan said that the incumbent government had achieved its economic targets and the improvement in the performance of the stock market was proof that the government was enjoying more confidence from the business community. 

"The Prime Minister appreciated the improvement in economic indicators and performance of the economic team and also directed to disseminate information to public regarding these positive impacts," she said. 

Government allows Nawaz to go abroad for treatment

The federal cabinet agreed to remove former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's name from the Exit Control List (ECL) on Tuesday, paving the way for him to seek medical treatment abroad.

Earlier in the day, a meeting of the sub-committee of the federal cabinet took a recess after failing to arrive at a decision on whether or not to remove Sharif's name from the ECL.

However, if the sub-committee — which is expected to reconvene tonight at 9:30pm — reaches a final decision on the matter, a further approval from the federal cabinet will not be required.

The former prime minister will have to deposit security bonds. A conditional approval to remove Nawaz's name from the no-fly list has been given by the government, claim sources.