LAHORE: The Pakistan People’s Party Punjab president Qamar Zaman Kaira has alleged that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government is playing with the lives of its ailing incarcerated political rivals by not allowing them to have treatment of their choice.

He was speaking at a press conference along with Hassan Murtaza, Malik Osman and Ali Haider Gilani here on Monday.

He said though the official medical board had declared Asif Ali Zardari’s health as critical, the foreign minister only promised to consider his case if the former president’s medical reports were submitted to the relevant authorities.

“What a ridiculous remark this is! Mr Zardari is in custody for over 90 days without conviction in any case. Getting treatment for his ailments is his fundamental right and we won’t submit any request to anyone on the issue.”

Mr Kaira said Nawaz Sharif’s health condition was also critical and the former prime minister must be sent abroad for treatment but the government seemed in a fix over the matter.He condemned registration of an FIR (first information report) against PPP MPA Ali Haider Gilani, son of former premier Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Meanwhile, Mr Gilani has submitted a privilege motion against police with the Punjab Assembly secretariat.

NOTICE: The Lahore High Court on Monday issued notice to Punjab inspector general of prisons on a petition filed by Qamar Zaman Kaira against denial of permission to visit former president Asif Ali Zardari in jail.

Mr Kaira through a counsel submitted that Mr Zardari was detained in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, in connection with a NAB case. However, he said, the jail officials were not allowing him (the petitioner) and other party leaders to meet with Mr Zardari despite several requests made to them.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2019