–Former PM’s doctors say stress can lead to cardiac arrest
–Counsel says Nawaz should be allowed treatment in UK
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif on Thursday urged the Supreme Court (SC) to revisit its order in the interest of justice by allowing him to get medical treatment form the United Kingdom (UK).
An Accountability Court (AC) found Nawaz Sharif guilty in Al Azizia Steel Mills reference last December in line with apex court’s July 26 verdict in Panama Papers case and sentenced him to seven years of imprisonment and fine.
Challenging the court’s decision before Islamabad High Court (IHC), Nawaz sought bail in the matter but the high court turned down the petition on February 25 to which the former premier invoked appellate jurisdiction of the apex court for relief on medical grounds.
Suspending the sentence in the matter, SC granted bail to Nawaz for six weeks on medical grounds on March 26 with directives that the appellant shall not leave the country and shall surrender before jail authorities upon the expiry of the facility period, otherwise, he would be apprehended.
On Thursday, filing review petition, Sharif’s counsel Khawaja Haris sought permanent bail in the matter, supported by special medical board of Pakistani doctors who were of the view that any form or degree of stressful situation, physical or psychological, will significantly potentiate the disease and enhance the risk factors leading to the chances of a sudden cardiac death.
“In our opinion, given Nawaz’s multiple co-morbidities, any form or degree of stressful situation, physical or psychological, will significantly potentiate the disease and enhance the risk factors leading to the chances of a sudden cardiac death or significant cardiovascular/ cerebrovascular morbidities vis-s-vis multiple debilitating co-morbidities”, the doctors said in the report.
The medical report described that Nawaz requires round-the-clock cardiac monitoring and he also needs day-to-day specialist care for his uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension. He needs special dietary management and daily titration of insulin dose whereas his medications have been optimised with strict dietary restrictions and he is also advised stress management.
Seeking relief from top court in the matter, Khawaja Haris pleaded, “The only feasible option available to the petitioner is to be treated by the same set of medical practitioners who had been treating him earlier in the UK, and, accordingly, it is in the interest of justice that the further condition imposed for the petitioner’s release on bail in the order of March 26 it is made clear that during this period the petitioner shall not leave or be allowed to leave the country and restricting him to get his medical treatment in Pakistan also merits review.”