After fresh pictures of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at a restaurant in London circulated on social media raising questions about his health, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid on Tuesday said reports submitted by the PML-N supremo’s team were insufficient.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Rashid said that a special medical board looking at Nawaz’s health had met on January 3 and after reviewing all the reports submitted by Nawaz’s team, they said the reports had not shared any new information or any new investigation.
The former premier is currently in London for medical treatment. On December 23, 2019, he had sought an extension in his stay abroad on the expiry of the four-week period granted by the Lahore High Court. Following his request, the Punjab government constituted a four-member committee to decide on it and on Friday the provincial government sought fresh medical reports to make an “informed decision”.
While addressing today’s press conference, Rashid said that Nawaz’s physician in London, David R. Lawrence, had sent a letter which was “very similar” to the summary earlier issued by the government regarding the former premier’s health.
According to the provincial health minister, Nawaz’s earlier medical history had been shared in the letter along with a summary of the government’s report.
Additionally, she said another letter was attached which stated that a positron emission tomography (PET) scan was being arranged at London Bridge Hospital. The provincial health minister added that they had offered to conduct Nawaz’s PET scan in Pakistan as well, however, he had declined the offer. The letter also mentioned that a lymph node biopsy had been recommended.
