Nawaz Sharif should be given required medical facilities, demands Bilawal

LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has demanded the government to ensure the provision of medical facilities to ailing former prime minister Nawaz Sharif of his own choice, ARY News reported on Monday.

While talking to journalists outside Kot Lakhpat jail, the PPP chairman insisted that it was completely a non-political meeting as he only arrived in to inquire after ailing Nawaz Sharif following speculations circulating around regarding his health condition.

“Every human has some cultural values despite having political differences, while our religion teaches us to inquire about the health of a person who is suffering from a disease.”

He urged that injustice must not be made with any prisoner and it was government’s responsibility to provide medical facilities to all ailing prisoners on a humanitarian basis.

“A person, who is suffering from cardiac disease, should not be pressurised as it comes under the category of torture. High-ups should become human before being rulers ” said Bilawal.

“Mian Nawaz Sharif served as prime minister of Pakistan thrice and PPP demands he should be given medical facilities of his own choice.”

“It is a historical day! Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari became political prisoners in the same jail. PPP leadership and activists also spent time here [at Kot Lakhpat jail] while fighting against dictatorship.”

Elections, government’s role and Charter of Democracy

Bilawal reiterated, “I am here just to inquire about the health of Mian Nawaz Sharif, however, we have also discussed elections, government’s role and Charter of Democracy.”

Slain Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif had signed Charter of Democracy in 2006 and it was the joint failure of Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz for incomplete implementation of the political pact, Bilawal said.

He said that both political parties have not focused on judicial reformations to remove ‘black laws of dictatorship-era” despite agreeing for running the national system under democracy.

“Weaknesses persist in the [governance] system must be discussed and I am inviting all political parties to give input in this area.”

Bilawal said that PPP will initiate efforts to bring all political parties on the same platform for complete implementation of the Charter of Democracy.

Answering a question, Bilawal told reporters, “Mian Sahib has himself told me that he becomes an ideological person. In my opinion [after meeting him], I don’t find Mr Sharif in a mood to compromise. I think, conspiracies being made against him [Nawaz Sharif] by those talking about possibilities of another NRO [National Reconciliation Ordinance]”

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, while criticising the Finance Minister, said that Asad Umar had delivered a response speech which only focused to lodge criticism against him.

“I agree with Asad Umar regarding deteriorated. The Finance Minister had complained about my speech in English and also criticised for why I am associating Bhutto with my name. [Just to clarify him] I am using Bhutto-Zardari with my name,” he said.

FM Qureshi had also spoken in English and agreed with my words while delivering his response speech, he said.

The PPP chairman clarified that he had not launched criticism against the incumbent government but only made some reminders. He said that the country exhibited unity which hailed positive message to the international community.

“Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had also delivered his speech where he had showed agreement with my words.

Bilawal lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying that his speech in Thar was not appropriate in accordance with the current scenario. He urged to maintain such environment which promotes unity among the nationals.

Future strategy

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari announced that the PPP will initiate contacting ‘pro-democratic political parties’ and many developments will be made in future regarding the implementation of the Charter of Democracy.

He said, “Ideological people in ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would be welcomed if they step forward to contact us.”

FM Qureshi had also spoken in English and agreed with my words while delivering his response speech, he said.

The PPP chairman confirmed that his political party was in contact with Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and other leaders.

Bilawal said that his grandfather, mother and other members of his family gave sacrifices for democracy. He added that the ruler of law can only prevent a common man from any kind of injustice. The PPP chairman said that he was expecting from PML-N to play an active role in ideological politics.

Bilawal-Nawaz meeting

Earlier in the day, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has met former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in Kot Lakhpat jail.

The PPP top leader inquired after the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif.

Bilawal is accompanied by PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, Jameel and Hassan Murtaza in the meeting between the top leaders of the major opposition parties.

He was allowed to meet Sharif in accordance with jail the manual and regulations. The meeting continued for around one hour, sources said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab home department earlier on March 9 had granted a request by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to meet the former premier.