Islamabad: The medical report of former premier Nawaz Sharif submitted in the Lahore High Court (LHC) has stirred up a political storm as Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet ministers and top aides have rejected it questioning its authenticity.
In the report, the PML-N leader, who is currently in London over health concerns, has been advised against travelling back to Pakistan in view of the possible health risks.
The report cited the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and the possibility of health-related complications the former prime minister could develop after returning to Pakistan.
The three-page report was submitted a day earlier by Advocate Amjad Pervez during a hearing of the Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) case, in which members of the Sharif family were accused of money laundering in the name of sale and purchase of the mills’ shares.
In the report, Dr Fayaz Shawl, director of the intervention cardiology department at Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Centre in the United States and clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University, has stated that he had known the PML-N leader since June 13, 2004, when he had performed coronary intervention on him at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
He said in the report that he performed two more procedures on Sharif.
Moreover, the doctor said, he was periodically updated by Sharif’s cardiologist in London, as well as by his personal physician, Dr Adnan.
The US-based doctor has advised Sharif to continue his medication and walk in the fresh air, adding that he should take precautionary measures to protect himself from COVID-19 and refrain from travelling or visiting crowded places as the virus could have severe effect on him due to his heart condition.
‘Fake and false report’
Reacting to the medical report presented in the court, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a video message said that a doctor from the US state of Washington had written Nawaz’s medical report, even though the former premier was residing in London.
He advised Sharif to return the “looted money” if he wished to return home.
‘Mockery of judicial system’
Terming the report as “fake”, the minister said that such reports were making a mockery of the country’s judicial system and laws. He expressed the hope that the courts would take notice of the false report and the manner in which Nawaz left the country.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) for Political Communication Shahbaz Gill also criticised the report calling it a report ‘drafted on request’.
“You can no longer hoodwink and befool,” he said in his tweet.
