Confusion over Nawaz Sharif return to Pakistan

There was confusion in Pakistan about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s return from the United Kingdom as even the ministers had different timetable in mind.

Mr Sharif went to the UK last week for “medical check-up” amid the Panama leaks scandal. The Premier has been under pressure since the Panama leaks linked his family to a series of offshore companies.

Conflicting assertions of the ministers about Prime Minister Sharif’s return to Pakistan created doubts about the authenticity of Mr Sharif’s illness.

One minister said the Premier will have to spend one-and-a-half month in London for medical treatment. Another Cabinet member said that Mr Sharif would fly back next week. Yet another minister gave a safe statement saying the PM will come back in a few days as the doctors had given him encouraging reports.

Information minister Pervez Rashid said the Prime Minister’s health was improving and the doctors were satisfied with his reports. He added that the PM will return to the country in a few days.

Defence minister Khawaja Mohammed Asif said the Prime Minister will return from the UK after one-and-a -half month. And minister of state Abid Sher Ali was of the view that the PM will be back by next week.

It was officially stated that the Prime Minister had gone to London for his medical check-up. However, interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced that Mr Sharif was in Britain for treatment of his heart problem.

In the absence of a conclusive opinion of the team of specialists, guesswork had been on about the duration of stay of the Prime Minister in London. His departure amid controversy over the Panama Papers leaks was given different interpretation by his opponents.

A mere comprehensive check-up doesn’t last many days as most heart-related tests can be conducted in less than a week. If all goes well, the Prime Minister will fly back home next week. However, if heart surgery is carried out, at least one month was generally needed for rest, prohibiting air travel.