Sharif may be considered for possible toxicology screen if platelet count does not respond: Pak media reports

In a development likely to raise eyebrows, Pakistani media on Friday reported that former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's toxicology screening for poisoning might be ordered 'if no cause or cure is found of his unstable platelets.'

Nawaz Sharif, the former three-time Prime Minister of Pakistan, is currently receiving treatment in London.

Geo News in its report said that "a leading University College Hospital and Harley Street Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Hematologists at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital have hinted that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's toxicology screening for poisoning will be ordered in London if no cause or cure is found of his unstable platelets."

"If the platelet count does not respond, he may be considered for a possible toxicology screen. We want to target a platelet count between 50-150 to allow safe treatment with an anti-platelet therapy," Geo News cited Dr David R Lawrence as writing in a report submitted before the Lahore High Court today.

Earlier on December 9, it was reported that the former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to fly to the United States for the treatment of his ailment there, according to family sources.

Sharif has been diagnosed with an immune system disorder that has caused a low platelet count. Sources had said that the treatment of his ailment was not available in London and hence, the former prime minister has to be shifted to the US for further medical treatment.

The ailing PML-N leader had arrived in the UK in an air ambulance accompanied by his younger brother and party president Shehbaz Sharif and personal physician Dr Adnan Malik.

Nawaz was allowed to fly abroad after the Lahore High Court had ordered the federal government to strike off his name from the Exit Control List (ECL) for four weeks.

On October 27, the Islamabad High Court had granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds to Sharif, who is serving a seven-year jail term in the Al-Azizia corruption case.