NAVEED BUTT & HAMID WALEED
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would meet former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif at the Koth Lakhpat Jail on Monday, it is learnt.
The Punjab Home Department has granted permission to Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to meet the former premier along with party leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mustafa Khokhar and Jameel Soomro. The meeting is scheduled to be held from 2:00pm to 4:00pm on Monday.
PPP Central Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira submitted an application to the Punjab Home Department on behalf of Bilawal on Saturday.
According to the request, the PPP chairman sought permission to meet Nawaz in jail to inquire about his health. “It would be appreciated if you kindly manage this visit,” it read.
According to Bilawal Bhutto’s tweet, “Appalled to hear of the callous and inhumane treatment of imprisoned former PM Nawaz Sharif by the government. His illness should be treated seriously, he be provided with proper medical care and treated with respect.”
Earlier, Khursheed Shah, a senior leader of the PPP, said that the government will be held accountable for Nawaz’s deteriorating health. Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that her father has refused to get medical treatment. She demanded medical care for her father inside the jail.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif met his elder brother in jail today. Nawaz told Shahbaz that he was taken to Services Hospital, PIC and Jinnah Hospital where doctors said that they have just been asked to determine how ill he is. “Doctors said that they cannot provide me with treatment as they do not have the mandate for it,” Nawaz was quoted as telling Shahbaz.
The former premier reportedly said, “I will no longer tolerate the treatment that was meted out to me in the name of medical treatment. The government once again intends to create a mockery.” The former premier is serving a seven-year jail term in the Al-Azizia case. He says he is suffering from heart ailments. His appeal to have his sentence suspended is being heard in the Supreme Court.
