Al-Azizia reference: IHC summons Nawaz’s medical reports

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ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday summoned all medical reports of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

A two-member IHC bench was hearing Nawaz Sharif’s plea seeking suspension of his sentence in Al-Azizia reference on medical grounds.

The hearing has been adjourned till February 6 with notices being issued to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and superintendent Kot Lakhpat Jail.

During proceedings, Justice Amir Farooq asked from Sharif’s lawyer what was new about this plea. Nawaz’s counsel, Khawaja Harris informed the court that his client’s family was worried about his health. Harris appealed to the court to summon the reports of the medical board, complaining that test reports of the former prime minister had not been provided to them. 

The plea was filed by the ex-premier’s counsel, Khawaja Harris, in the IHC on Saturday. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), accountability court and superintendent of Kot Lakhpat jail have been made respondents.

In the plea, the former premier requested that the accountability court verdict sentencing him be suspended till a decision is announced on his appeal against the jail term. The sentence in Al-Azizia reference should be suspended and he should be granted bail on medical grounds against surety bond, the petition read.

Along with the petition, a medical report from the hospital dated January 17 has been attached.

A few days earlier, a team of doctors had conducted a medical examination of Nawaz at the Kot Lakhpat jail.

Blood samples of the former premier were sent to Jinnah Hospital and he had been taken to Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC) for further tests. Three tests, including echocardiogram (ECG) and Thallium, were conducted of the former premier at PIC and his medical reports showed that his heart was bigger than normal.

Nawaz had earlier also moved the IHC seeking a suspension in the seven-year jail term handed to him in the Al-Azizia reference. His plea has been fixed for hearing on February 18.