PAKISTAN’S FORMER PM SHARIF FLIES TO UK FOR TREATMENT
▶ Departure fuels speculation that he is closing in on a deal to go into exile
Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has been flown to London for treatment after weeks of legal and political tussles over his health.
The three-time prime minister left by air ambulance and was due to arrive in London early yesterday evening, before heading to the United States.
Sharif, 69, the leader of the ousted Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party, was allowed to leave the country for four weeks after his doctors said he had become dangerously ill while serving a corruption sentence.
Sharif gave assurances that he would return but his departure led to intense speculation that he is closing in on a deal with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government to gain his freedom and go into exile.
Ousted leaders have made similar political departures in recent decades.
Sharif moved to Saudi Arabia for seven years after he was toppled in a coup in 1999. His successor, Gen Pervez Musharraf, is in exile with a treason case pending against him.
Sharif’s doctors said that he suffers from heart problems, an immune system condition and the platelets in his bloodstream, which aid clotting, have fallen to dangerously low levels.
He left in an air ambulance equipped with an intensive care unit and operating table.
“Nawaz Sharif will go to Boston after going through a detailed check-up in London. During his travel, he will stay in Doha for two hours,” Sharif’s close aide, Pervaiz Rashid, told Reuters.
Sharif’s declining health had become a political headache for Mr Khan and detailed reports of his medical condition dominated the media.
Mr Khan rose to power on promises to prosecute the corrupt political leaders of the past and he has rejected any possibility of an amnesty.
Many senior opposition leaders, including Sharif, have been detained or jailed in recent months in an anti-corruption purge since Mr Khan took power last year.
His rivals say opponents are being targeted in a politically motivated witch hunt.
Yet Mr Khan’s allies said he risked appearing callous and as though he was singling out Sharif by refusing him treatment abroad.
Sharif has always denied the corruption charges and remained a political giant despite being behind bars. He was sentenced to seven years for corruption, but has been on bail for the past month.
The government at first insisted Sharif pay a Dh165 million bond to ensure his return, before he left for treatment.
But the high court then ruled that the former PM could leave without paying the sum.
Local television stations broadcast footage of Sharif being helped to board the plane. His younger brother, Shahbaz Sharif is accompanying him, along with his physician, Adnan Khan.
On Monday, Mr Khan again dismissed the chances of an amnesty, saying there would be no escape from accountability.
But his denials have failed to silence speculation that a deal is in the offing.
Sharif left in an air ambulance and was due to arrive in London early yesterday evening, before heading to the US