Sharif family politicising ailment of Nawaz, says Cheema

governor punjab omar sarfraz cheema, islamabad high court (IHC)

ISLAMABAD: In a response to allegations levelled by the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Information Secretary Omar Sarfraz Cheema said that the Sharif family has put all focus on politicising ailment of Nawaz Sharif, ARY News reported.

Omar Sarfraz Cheema thrashed allegation of the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and called it ‘baseless and condemnable’.

The PTI information secretary said that Sharif family will be responsible cent per cent if, god forbid, something happens to [the former prime minister] Nawaz Sharif.

“It doesn’t seem as per their words that Sharif family is serious about the treatment of Nawaz Sharif.”

Continuing his criticism against Sharifs, he added, “Instead of exhibiting seriousness, their efforts are for blackmailing the government.”

He reiterated that Sharif was given facilities to continue treatment of his own choice despite while millions [in this country] cannot avail the facility.

The PTI leader said that Sharif was a convicted criminal. He added that the government was not authorised to allow a prisoner to move abroad except the court.

“If a picnic to London can better health condition, then the court should be convinced,” Cheema said.

The PTI information secretary clarified that the authorities have also allowed Sharif to call foreign physician in Pakistan.

He suggested Shehbaz Sharif, being as a wealthy person, to call physician on his expenses for his brother without waiting for the government’s decision in this regards.

Earlier in the day, the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif warned Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government will be responsible if anything happens to his ailing brother Nawaz Sharif, who is serving seven-year imprisonment in Kot Lakhpat Jail.

Speaking to journalists on the Accountability Court premises where he arrived in connection with the hearing of Ramzan Sugar Mills case, he said Nawaz Sharif was seriously ill. “Denying Nawaz Sharif healthcare facilities is a gross negligence on the part of the government.”

The Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) president said he himself bore the expenses incurred on his treatment abroad. “Neither did I receive government perks nor embarked on foreign trips at the expense of public money.”

He said he didn’t spent a single penny of the government exchequer for personal purpose.