‘Sharif critically unwell and fighting for his life’
Senior leaders of PML-N rule out possibility of shifting ailing ex-pm abroad for treatment; IHC grants former premier bail for eight weeks in Al Azizia case
Deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif continues to be in a critical condition in the Services Hospital Lahore and his weight has reduced by seven kilograms in a week during he has been in the medical facility.
Sharif’s personal physician Dr Adnan tweeted: the former prime minister, critically unwell, is fighting the batle for his health & life. Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count) & NSTEMI (Heart Atack) is further complicated by deteriorating Kidney functions. Poor Blood Sugar & Blood Pressure control is taking its toll. Pending Scans/ Biopsies, diagnostic dilemma still ensues from multiple complex pathologies & co-morbidities. In a paradoxical catch 22 situation; establishing a definitive diagnosis & subsequent management poses considerable risk to Sharif’s fragile & unstable health.
A team of doctors spent another day trying to figure out the cause of a sudden drop in the platelet count of Sharif, who had been admited to the hospital a week ago, amid speculation that he might have to be taken to some other health facility within Pakistan or abroad for better treatment.
However, senior leadership of his party ruled out any such possibility, arguing that no decision could be taken before seeing any improvement in his condition.
He has been under treatment at the Services Hospital since Oct.21.
His platelet count hovered around 28,000 - some 122,000 less than the minimum normal level - on Monday.
The doctors’ panel is faced with a tough task. They are striving to create a balance between the doses for increasing his platelets and the medicines being given for his heart condition.
According to the medical board, headed by Services Hospital principal Dr Mahmood Ayaz, the patient’s platelets were fluctuating owing to the medicines being administered to him for his cardiac disease.
“The diagnosis is yet to be ascertained,” he said, adding he had severe atherosclerotic ‘coronary and carotid artery disease’ with co-morbidities (HTN, DM, CKD) and because of subsequent serious effects of treatment he had developed
NSTEMI (NON-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction); being managed on ACS protocol.
There were rumours that his family might press for shiting him to the Sharif Medical City - close to his Jati Umra residence - despite government spokesperson’s assertion that Sharif was happy with the treatment he was geting from the 10-doctor panel at Services Hospital. Such a move, however, could help the government pass on the sensitive responsibility of his treatment to his family.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted former premier bail for eight weeks on health grounds in the Al Azizia case.
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani in a short order said that Sharif may approach the Punjab government on the expiration of the bail period if his health did not improve.
Justice Farooq asked Sharif’s counsel, Khawaja Haris, whether the president of Pakistan can grant amnesty to Sharif before the bail plea is announced.
To this, Haris replied: “He can invoke his presidential powers at any time. However, customarily, all forums are first approached.”
The court observed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seemed to be the only party with a clear stance on the mater and that the federal and provincial government were refraining from taking up a position.
“On which condition should we grant you bail?” Justice Farooq asked Haris.
“On whichever condition that can give Sharif a chance to recover,” he replied.
The court then presented the federal and provincial government were refraining from taking up a position.’s counsel with four options: To forward the mater to the executive; to suspend the sentence in accordance with the time frame recommended by NAB; approve Sharif’s application or reject it.
In response, Haris said it would not be advisable to forward the mater to a government which is “uterly against the Sharifs.”
At this, Justice Kiyani said: “The prime minister and chief minister do not belong to a party. They belong to the entire country and province.”