LAHORE: PML-N information secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb has condemned the government’s petition against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the court, saying this is another reflection of the worst political victimisation by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf regime.

“The Imran Khan government has stooped too low in its vengeance against Nawaz Sharif and has completely lost its mind. Such petty actions are aimed at diverting the attention of the people from rising inflation in commodities of basic necessities and the massive wheat and sugar theft by PTI,” she said in a statement issued here on Saturday.

The former information minister said Nawaz Sharif went abroad on the court’s order which clearly stated that he would stay there till the completion of his medical treatment.

“The PML-N is currently mulling over the details of moving the court over the matter. The entire politics of this incompetent, corrupt and inept PTI government revolves around politicising Mr Sharif’s health. It cannot deny the CPEC, 11,000 megawatts of electricity, thousands of kilometres of national motorways and employment to the youth even if it desperately wants,” she lamented.

Ms Aurangzeb further said Nawaz Sharif was sent abroad in the light of the reports and recommendations by the medical board set up by the Punjab government.

“Mr Sharif has been regularly submitting the medical reports in accordance with the law and directions of the court and no amount of lies by the PTI can hide this. It is clear decision of the party that no compromises shall be made on the health and well-being of Nawaz Sharif and he will return (from London) only after the completion of his treatment,” she declared.

Earlier, the Punjab government had refused to extend bail to Mr Sharif, declaring that it had found no “legal, moral or medical grounds” necessitating an extension.

The LHC had granted Nawaz Sharif ‘s bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case in which he was a suspect. Later, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) accepted his bail plea in the Al Azizia Mills reference in which he was serving a seven-year jail term, clearing his way to travel abroad for medical treatment.

The IHC had, however, asked him to first approach the Punjab government if he needed more time (after eight weeks) to complete his treatment. Mr Sharif had left for London on Nov 19.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2020