Islamabad: The Punjab cabinet has decided not to extend bail for Nawaz Sharif, former Prime Minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who is currently in London for treatment.
The provincial government said Nawaz Sharif has already used eight weeks more than the time granted by the court.
The cabinet made this decision on the basis of a report by a committee constituted to review Nawaz Sharif’s medical reports and health conditions.
An Islamabad High Court bench last year had directed Nawaz Sharif to seek the Punjab government’s permission for further relief.
In its verdict, the court had declared that until the provincial government decides the matter, the bail would remain in effect, adding that the court order would cease to exist immediately if the government decides against extending the bail period.
A request by Sharif for bail extension was then moved to the Punjab Home Department. On Tuesday, Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat announced that the provincial cabinet had decided against further extension in the bail.
Addressing a press conference with Health Minister of Punjab Yasmin Rashid and Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan, Raja Basharat said: “The committee has decided that Nawaz Sharif’s bail can’t be extended further.”
“After reviewing the committee’s report the cabinet has recommended that no further relief should be given to the former prime minister as “till today he (Nawaz) has not been admitted in any hospital in London and nothing specific had been shared with the government regarding the PML-N supremo’s health and the matter had been lingering on.”
On October 29, 2019 Sharif was granted bail by the High Court for eight weeks. After a further eight weeks, he is still abroad for medical purpose, said Basharat.
He said the Punjab cabinet found no legal, moral or medical basis with any concrete proof for further extension of the bail.
Basharat said the Punjab government would now share its decision with the federal government, which will take further decision on the matter.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and younger brother of Sharif, in a statement condemned the Punjab government for turning down the bail extension request.
We had provided all the required evidence and medical reports showing the deteriorating health condition of Nawaz Sharif to the Punjab government, yet the decision shows their policy of political revenge, said Shahbaz Sharif. “We cannot compromise on Nawaz Sharif’s health who is being denied the right to live,” he said.