ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has once again denied reports that the opposition was holding secret talks with the establishment for the return of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
While speaking to a private news channel, Abbasi also rejected the reports that Nawaz Sharif was returning to Pakistan in March this year. However, he admitted that Nawaz Sharif was facing visa problems in the United Kingdom.
He said Sharif’s visa was not extended as he was not admitted to the hospital due to coronavirus-related restrictions after moving to London in November 2019. “Since Nawaz Sharif was not admitted to the hospital, his visa was not extended,” he said. “We have recommended him that he should get the medical procedures done. If he comes without getting the treatment done, it is his decision,” he said.
He said there a patient admitted to a hospital in the UK could be given a visa extension and allowed to stay as long as the treatment continues. He said Nawaz Sharif needs to undergo at least three procedures but did not provide further details.
Abbassi said that when Sharif left Pakistan, his health had deteriorated to the point that his life was threatened, but after arriving in the UK doctors stabilised his health and resolved a few critical issues including the low platelet count.
Regarding a statement by Ayaz Sadiq, he said the party leader has not said when Sharif would return. He said the medical board recently set up by the Punjab government to ascertain Sharif’s health will not have any effect as the patient was in the UK.
He said when Sharif left, four boards were formed and doctors from the Shaukat Khanum Hospital were on those boards. Abbasi claimed that eighteen people have been assigned to issue false statements.
Abbasi said he was unaware of any secret negotiation between the establishment and the opposition. He also claimed some of the government ministers and parliamentarians were not ready to vote for the mini-budget. He also said the long march was only a way to highlight issues faced by the nation and the opposition has done what it could.
