Sharif likely to undergo crucial heart procedure

LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to undergo a crucial heart procedure next week, Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif said.

Sharif’s heart procedure is expected next week, he said adding that this is very important step of his treatment.

Sharif has been in London since November 19, 2019. He is serving a seven-year jail term due to his conviction and was granted interim bail in Oct 2019 in view of his debilitating health condition and later also the permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The Punjab government has already refused to further extend Sharif’s post arrest bail and ordered him to surrender himself to authorities.

Shahbaz had been with his brother for the last four months. However, he returned to Pakistan last week before suspension of the international flights in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The PML-N told his party lawmakers that the biggest opposition party has prepared a comprehensive national action plan to help the state take the right path in the wake of the growing coronavirus threat.

“The PML-N has made this plan after consultation with different experts and in light of its own experiences. There are suggestions encompassing financial, administrative and other aspects,” he said. He said the party demands that the government declare a national emergency. “We have decided that there will be no compromise on security and protection of human life. Putting political interest aside, we need to play a national role,” he added. He said they would push the government to take necessary measures for the safety and protection of the nation.

“We present this plan to the government for immediate implementation. Several measures have already been taken by the government due to the pressure of opposition parties.”

Shahbaz said he has instructed his people to keep an eye on the situation in their respective areas and help in creating a data bank on the situation.

“We have asked members of Punjab Assembly, National Assembly, Senators, representatives of local government, party office-bearers and workers to expedite social and charity work. To politicise the current situation would be a sin.”

Shahbaz said the PML-N is the party of the founders of Pakistan and is responsible for looking after the fellow countrymen.

“The PML-N would never shy away from scarifying for the country. Our country would pass through these testing times successfully,” he added.