LAHORE: As doctors at the Sharif Medical City (SMC) on Saturday proposed insertion of a pacemaker and an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) into former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s body to address his ailment of irregular heartbeat, a minister asked why he had not been hospitalised yet even though he was released from prison for the purpose several days ago.

“Nawaz Sharif has been out of jail for the last four days but still he is not admitted to hospital. Was his only purpose [in securing a bail on medical grounds] to come out of jail and for treatment of his ailment he is waiting for the last week [of bail period],” asked Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet.

The minister said the former premier should go for a plea bargain and return the money he allegedly siphoned away from the exchequer. “I suggest you for Plea Bargain. This money does not belong to Hasan and Hussain [Mr Sharif’s sons]. This nation had given you respect by electing you prime minister three times. You should return this nation’s money.”

Information minister asks why ex-PM has not been hospitalised yet

Mr Sharif was released from Kot Lakhpat jail on Tuesday after the Supreme Court granted him bail for six weeks on medical grounds, allowing him to get treatment from doctors of his choice in the country.

Mr Chaudhry and some other federal and provincial ministers had claimed that Mr Sharif wanted to go abroad for his treatment as he had declined the Punjab government’s offer to get treatment at any health facility of his choice in the province.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had, however, termed the government’s attitude toward Mr Sharif “callous”. Since his release from the prison, where he was undergoing a seven-year imprisonment in the Al-Azizia corruption case, he has twice been taken to the SMC.

On Saturday a panel of doctors examined Mr Sharif for two-and-a-half hours at the facility that was set up by the Sharif family about two decades ago.

According to PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb, the doctors suggested implantation of a pacemaker and an ICD in the former premier’s body. She said his heart’s left artery was not functioning properly.

Mr Sharif has reportedly cancelled all his meetings with the PML-N leaders and workers at his residence in Raiwind.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2019