Pak HC rejects ex-PM Nawaz Sharif's petition seeking bail on medical grounds

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The Islamabad High Court on Monday rejected a petition filed by former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is serving seven years of the prison sentence on graft charges, seeking bail on medical grounds.

The bench comprising on Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani ordered that the bail could not be given on medical ground, the Dawn reported.

According to the Dawn, the senior leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League [Nawaz] was present in the court during the hearing.

Terming the court verdict disappointing, former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said, "We have always respected court orders; we respect this one as well. Will take all legal routes that are available [to challenge]," said Abbasi. "The treatment required [for Sharif] cannot be provided in jail; it is important that he is released [from jail]," he added.

Earlier in the month, after complaining about high fever, headache and severe body pain, Sharif was shifted to Jinnah Hospital from Kot Lakhpat Jail.

On December 24, the accountability court convicted Sharif in Al Azizia Steel Mills Company and Hill Metal Establishment (HME) reference cases. He was directed to pay Rs 1.5 billion and USD 25 million in fines, besides being barred from holding a public office for 10 years after the completion of his sentence.