Promising to return, Nawaz and Maryam leave for London

Published
111
PML-N leader Nawaz poses for a picture with a fellow passenger on his flight to London. — Photo courtesy Maryam Nawaz's Twitter account
PML-N leader Nawaz poses for a picture with a fellow passenger on his flight to London. — Photo courtesy Maryam Nawaz's Twitter account

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday left for London where Sharif's wife Kulsoom Nawaz is undergoing treatment for lymphoma.

The father-daughter duo, who are currently facing accountability hearings, left for London on a Qatar Airlines flight around 9:30am and are scheduled to return on April 22.

However, in a tweet just before departure, Maryam vowed to return before the next hearing if they are not granted an exemption from appearance by the accountability court where proceedings in the Avenfield Properties reference are underway.

"My mother is hospitalised again," she had tweeted a day earlier, with a request for prayers for her mother. The family had also issued a statement informing that the two would leave for London to see the ailing Kulsoom.

Begum Kulsoom had undergone a surgery for lymphoma (throat cancer). The PML-N had declared the procedure successful, but of late her condition deteriorated and she was hospitalised.

Last week, the National Accountability Bureau had claimed in a report that the PML-N government had shown reluctance to place the names of Nawaz Sharif and other members of his family on the Exit Control List (ECL) on the bureau's request.

NAB had asked the interior ministry to put on the ECL the names of Nawaz Sharif, his children — Maryam, Hassan and Hussain — and his son-in-law retired Capt Safdar.

All of them are being tried in accountability courts regarding references filed following the Supreme Court's orders in Panamagate case.

Sharif's sons are already in London and have been declared proclaimed offenders by the accountability court in the corruption references against them.

Opinion

Editorial

Referendum talk
Updated 14 Nov, 2026

Referendum talk

Unless the PPP is deliberately using Sindh as a bargaining chip, it should issue a clarification with a clear, consistent position on new administrative units, not one tailored to protect its home turf.
Mineral wealth
Updated 14 Nov, 2026

Mineral wealth

Minerals should not be presented as a solution to Pakistan’s long-term economic difficulties. The aim should be to build an industrial base rather than export raw materials.
Late diagnosis
14 Nov, 2026

Late diagnosis

AS we mark World Diabetes Day today, Pakistan faces a troubling question: how many people are living with diabetes...
Climate challenges
Updated 13 Nov, 2026

Climate challenges

Pakistan cannot afford to confront its climate crises one disaster, one season and one international summit at a time.
Under fire
Updated 13 Nov, 2026

Under fire

KP police are increasingly vulnerable as they play a frontline role in ongoing operations against terrorists.
Used car imports
13 Nov, 2026

Used car imports

THE government’s effort to restrict used car imports appears to be faltering. So suggest the numbers. Despite...