Payment made for Umer Sharif's air ambulance, Murtaza Wahab confirms

• Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab says provincial government has paid for air ambulance to take veteran actor Umar Sharif to US for treatment. 
• Provincial government has paid almost Rs28.4 million for the air ambulance. 
• However, CAA says it has not received any request for landing of air ambulance.

KARACHI: All preparations to transfer well-known veteran actor and comedian Umer Sharif to the United States for his medical treatment have been completed as Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said the Sindh government has paid for his air ambulance.

An air ambulance is likely to reach Karachi today for the legendary artist, said the Sindh government's spokesperson. He said Rs28.4 million has been paid to relocate Umer Sharif to the US.

However, when contacted, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan said they have not received any request for the landing of an air ambulance so far, according to sources.

The air traffic controlling authority said it would take action on the air ambulance as soon as its air transport department receives a request.

Meanwhile, shedding light on Umer Sharif's health condition, son Jawad Umer said his father is still under treatment at a private hospital in Karachi.

"Arrangements for the air ambulance are in the final stages," he said, adding that the air ambulance is expected to arrive in a day or two.

Jawad stated that the doctors are taking good care of his father's health.

On September 20, the Sindh government, in a letter written to the Ministry of Finance, requested the federal government to allow the air ambulance for Umer Sharif to enter Pakistan's air space. The Sindh health department said that the province will bear all the expenses for the air ambulance.

However, matters related to airspace and aviation come under the federal government, the letter read. According to the letter, the health department urged the federal government to resolve all issues related to an air ambulance "as soon as possible".

Wahab told Geo News on September 18 that the US government has issued visas to the ailing comedian and his family members for his medical treatment in America.

Umer Sharif’s son Jawad Umer had earlier said that his father would leave for the US for treatment via an air ambulance arranged by the Sindh government.

In a statement yesterday, Zareen Umer, the comedian's wife, had said the preparations for the entertainer's treatment had been completed at United States' George Washington Hospital.

The entertainer's wife said the US government had issued visas to them, and now, there were no hurdles in their departure to the states.

Umer Sharif is currently under treatment at a private hospital in Karachi for multiple ailments and had requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to expedite his US visa for surgery abroad.