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But PML-N rejects govt’s decision
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Pay up and leave, Fawad tells N. League
By Ajmal Khan Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet’s subcommittee has allowed former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad for medical treatment for four weeks, but after submitting surety bonds.
Federal Minister for Law Farogh Naseem, while addressing a press conference in Islamabad has announced that PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, who had appealed for permission, will have to submit an indemnity bond to the tune of around 7 billion rupees to avail the concession.
“The permission will be subject to the Sharif family submitting an indemnity bond to the tune of Rs7-7.5 billion,” said Federal Minister for Law Farogh Naseem in a press conference.
He said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif has given one-time permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The press conference came after a sub-committee meeting of the federal cabinet held in Islamabad with Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Farogh Naseem in a chair to decide the removal of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s name from Exit Control List (ECL).
The federal cabinet had given conditional approval to the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday to travel abroad who sought the removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).
Sharif family had refused to submit surety bonds as demanded by the government to pave the way for the removal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s name from the exit control list (ECL).
A sub-committee meeting of the federal cabinet held in Islamabad with Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Farogh Naseem in a chair.
Personal physician of the former premier, Dr Adnan Khan and deputy general secretary of the PML-N Atta Tarar represented PML-N.
During the meeting, Nawaz’s lawyers denied submitting surety bonds for the removal of Nawaz’s name from ECL, added sources.
The PML-N supremo had been granted bail by the Islamabad High Court in the Al-Azizia reference on medical grounds on October 26 after his health deteriorated and he was admitted to Lahore’ Services Hospital.
Later, the PML-N moved a plea, requesting the government to remove Nawaz’s name from the no-fly list so he can travel abroad and get treatment.
Agencies add: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has expressed dissatisfaction over the decision which allows Nawaz Sharif to go abroad for his medical treatment only for four weeks.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) expressed dissatisfaction over the decision, stating that how can someone guarantee that Nawaz Sharif’s health will recover within four weeks. Terming the subcommittee’s indemnity bond condition as unlawful, the PML-N said that surety bonds have already been deposited in the courts.
“Decision of the cabinet’s subcommittee is beyond comprehension,” the party said.
PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition, Shehbaz Sharif, will convene an important meeting of the senior leadership of the party on Thursday. After the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif will address a press conference at 3 pm.
According to a statement issued by Marriyum Aurangzeb, the government’s decision to condition Nawaz Sharif’s medical treatment abroad is based on Imran Khan’s prejudice and political revenge. “At the time of bail, all constitutional and legal requirements were completed, and bail bonds were also submitted”, she expressed, adding that conditioning removal of Nawaz Sharif’s name from the ECL is an incomprehensible decision. She asserted there could not be a government court above the court. The PML-N has made a clear stance on the submission of security bonds.
Sharif, 69, was admitted to the Services Hospital in Lahore on October 22 from Kot Lakhpat Jail after his platelets dropped to a critically low level of 2,000.
The Islamabad High Court had granted bail to Sharif for eight weeks, suspending his seven-year sentence in the Al Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference on medical grounds. Earlier, he had also secured bail in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case from the Lahore High Court on the same ground.
The medical board formed by the government had earlier suggested allowing the ailing former prime minister to seek medical treatment abroad.
Our Monitoring Desk adds: Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the incumbent government has made a massive undertaking by allowing Nawaz Sharif to travel abroad.
Chaudhry further speculated that infighting was taking place inside the Sharif family, a power struggle to become the leader of the political party and the household.
The minister further said that it was high time that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) stopped politicising their ailing leaders’ health.
“We just want PMLN and its leadership to ensure the guarantee sought for the safe exit of the former premier,” Chaudhry said.
The minister also revealed that after such a precedent of sending a convicted felon out of the country had been set then other political leaders who are under custody or convicts serving time would also ask for a similar settlement citing the same concerns.
Shehbaz, Nawaz mull
‘conditions’ at home
From Abid Usman
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif visited Jati Umra residence on Wednesday to meet his ailing brother Nawaz Sharif where he will apprise the government’s conditions for his departure from the country, citing sources. Sources said that Shehbaz has reached Jati Umra to meet the ailing former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif brothers will exchange views on the conditions tabled by the federal government prior to his final permission to leave the country. It may be noted here that PML-N deputy secretary-general Advocate Ata Tarar informed Shehbaz pertains to the developments made in the cabinet’s sub-committee meeting today.
The federal cabinet had given conditional approval to the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday to travel abroad who sought the removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL). The cabinet members approved the conditions that Sharif’s name will be moved out from the no-fly-list for a limited period, whereas, he will have to submit security bonds to get the formal permission.
The conditions tabled by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have also come forth as the anti-corruption watchdog sought submission of guarantee money that worth the same with its surety bonds submitted for its bail or property. Later, it emerged that the Sharif family refused to submit surety bonds as demanded by the government to pave the way for the removal of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s name from the no-fly list.
