Pakistan court grants bail to ailing former premier

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - A Pakistani court on Friday granted bail to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds.

A two-member bench of the Lahore High Court headed by Justice Ali Baqir ordered to release the former premier in a corruption case against a surety bond of 10 million rupees ($141,048).

However, Sharif’s bail plea in another case will be heard in Islamabad High Court on Tuesday.

Earlier, Sharif’s lawyer Ashtar Ausaf and head of a medical board Dr Mehmood Ayaz informed the Lahore High Court about Sharif’s deteriorating health condition.

Following the court verdict, Sharif's youngest brother and opposition leader in the National Assembly thanked the court.

"I am thankful to the court for its verdict and request the court to also grant bail to Maryam Nawaz [Nawaz Sharif’s daughter] on medical ground as she is also not feeling well," Shehbaz Sharif told reporters outside the Lahore High Court.

Maryam is also in custody of the country's anti-corruption authority. She was arrested on Aug. 8 in money laundering charges.

On Monday night, Sharif was shifted to a hospital after his health deteriorated in Kot Lakhpat Jail in northeastern Lahore city.

According to Sharif's personal physician, the former premier’s blood platelet count fell to “critically low level”.

"Former PM #NawazSharif has significant atherosclerotic disease burden including significant Coronary Artery Disease & critical Carotid Artery Disease along with co-morbidities; DM, HTN & CKD," Dr Adnan Khan, Sharif’s personal physician tweeted.

According to the authorities, Sharif has been suffering from acute Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a bleeding disorder in which the immune system destroys platelets.

"Nawaz Sharif platelets has increased today to 22,000 and now his health improving slowly," Dr Yasmin Rashid, health minister of Punjab province told reporters.