[Pakistan Politics] Shehbaz Sharif – Homecoming

National Assembly’s Opposition Leader, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is all set to return to Pakistan on 8 June 2019. He moved to London after he was released on bail by Lahore High Court and later his name was also removed from the Exit Control List (ECL). His visit to London was said to be on medical grounds, as he looked forward to his treatment.

After clearance from his doctors on completion of the required medical tests, he is returning to Pakistan after spending almost 7 weeks in London. According to sources, he was not advised by his doctors to travel earlier.

Sharif was arrested in October 2018, in Ashiana Housing Scheme Case. He was accused over corruption and dishonesty charges, as he awarded the contract for the scheme to Lahore Casa Developers despite the successful bid by Chaudhary Latif and Sons. The out of way allotment of the contract caused a loss of Rs.193 million. He is also facing corruption and fraud charges in Ramzan Sugar Mills case. Shahbaz along with his son fraudulently caused a loss of Rs.213 million to the national exchequer.

Sharif’s visit to London was believed to be of not more than 10 to 12 days, as stated by the party sources. During his visit, his doctor stated that his spinal movement is restricted in flexion and his pinprick is reduced in the lower back. He was recommended with hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, and x-rays of the lumbosacral spine, flexion and extension views.

Despite the claims of the senior leadership of PML-N, that Sharif’s health is quite awful, multiple videos of him went viral on social media in which he was wandering on the streets of London and he also avoided to respond to questions of the general public. Sharif also hosted a party meeting during his visit, which entertained the participants with lunch. This was much critiqued, as it was against the scope of the holy month of Ramadan.