Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, has urged the opposition not to do politics over the health of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. This is the formal response of the government after an apparent anti-government campaign on social media where PM Imran Khan and his cabinet have been accused of mistreating Nawaz.
While responding to the claims, Dr. Awan maintained that her government has a lot more to show to the public as their achievement. “The government has so many achievements to bring forward, we are not dependent on some health issue to do politics, but it is they who are dependent on such petty issues,” Dr Awan said, adding: “I want to tell these spokespersons that if they use harsh language against the country’s leadership they should expect to get a response in the same coin.”
There are laws in the country and we have to follow the jail manual even if it is for Maryam Bibi as her medical report states that she was healthy and normal with all tests cleared
There was a campaign against the government as if it was responsible for Nawaz’s deteriorating health condition. Political commentators and several analyst joined the movement and started bashing the government.
All one expected was a bit of decency and grace from the govt about former PM Nawaz Sharif health. Even here the govt floundered. Sad.
— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) October 25, 2019
Nawaz’s son, Hussain Nawaz, and some other party members even accused the government of poisoning him.
Pakistani Twitter users suspect that he may have been poisoned because of sudden, unexplained low platelet counthttps://t.co/KMXEnLH6Tu
— OpIndia.com (@OpIndia_com) October 24, 2019
Some analysts believe that a deal has been signed between the establishment and Sharifs. According to the deal, Mr. Sharif will leave Pakistan and return money.
BREAKING:
—PAK1 plan ready 4 #Nawaz Sharif 2 take him 2 London. ——Charted #Saudi Plan also sheduled to arrive in Pakistan.
—Guarantees by MNS camp provided & verified in writing.
—MNS already paid 20% of agreed deal.
—Rest 2 be paid gradually.
—MN will ultimately join.
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) October 24, 2019
Dr. Awan further said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had always stood by the supremacy of law for the strengthening of the judiciary and the government would not interfere in a matter that was in the court. She also told media that the premier is concerned about the health condition of Nawaz Sharif. PM Khan yesterday tweeted:
Political differences notwithstanding, my sincere prayers are with Nawaz Sharif for his health. I have directed all concerned to ensure provision of the best possible health care and medical treatment to him.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 24, 2019
He has also directed the Punjab government to let Maryam Nawaz stay with her father at Services Hospital in Lahore.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Punjab government to allow Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Maryam to stay with her ailing father, Nawaz Sharif, in hospital.#ARYNewshttps://t.co/UYLJKHlbOG
— ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) October 25, 2019
Moreover, Dr. Awan also explained to the media representatives that it was up to the court to decide about the fate of the former premier. “It is not the government’s job to decide about his bail or stay in jail. It is ultimately up to the courts,” she said “The government had implemented the court decisions in the past and will do so in the future as well,” she added.
Dr Awan said the first reaction of the Prime Minister was that Nawaz Sharif should be provided the best healthcare facilities from a hospital of his choice and his family should be taken on board on his treatment.
She expressed her best wishes for the early recovery of Mr Sharif and also said that the request of Maryam Nawaz for a meeting with her father was honored. But there have been persistent anti-government propaganda which presented an ‘inhumane and apparent cruel face’ of the government.
Read more: Is Nawaz Sharif’s unstable health being used for political purposes?
The special assistant decried the statements of PML-N leaders that Maryam Nawaz was sent to prison forcibly. “There are laws in the country and we have to follow the jail manual even if it is for Maryam Bibi as her medical report states that she was healthy and normal with all tests cleared,” she concluded.
PTI has urged the PML-N not to do politics over the health of former premier. She also clarified that the government is only implementing the verdicts of courts.