Pakistan SC rejects Sharif’s plea for bail extension

Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Fridayrejected a petition by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for an extension ofthe six-week bail granted to him earlier on medical grounds in a corruptionreference.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosaalso rejected the three-time Premier’s plea to allow him to travel abroad fortreatment, Geo News reported.

   

Sharif had been granted bail on medical grounds by the apexcourt on March 26 for six weeks. On April 25, he had submitted a reviewpetition in the apex court seeking permanent bail. His bail is set to expire onMay 7.

The Chief Justice said the court had given Sharif six weeksbail to seek life-saving treatment but the entire bail duration had insteadbeen spent conducting tests to ascertain the state of the Pakistan MuslimLeague – Nawaz leader’s health.

“We gave him six weeks bail – as recommended by fivemedical boards and 31 doctors – for angiography, but the time was spentconducting evaluations and tests,” said Justice Khosa.

He added that the conduct of “the petitioner shows thereis no imminent threat to his life and the plea is based more onapprehensions”.

The Chief Justice said that new medical reports did show thatSharif’s health was worsening and not improving, but added that it was possiblefor him to be treated in prison as the superintendent would be empowered tosend him to hospital as and when required.Justice Khosa also saidthat the apex court cannot review its order on the basis of new medical reportsregarding Sharif’s health. “Anyone who applies for bail on medical groundsclaims their life is in danger. If that route is taken, the review will becomean unending process,” the judge said. Sharif now has to surrender to jailauthorities on Tuesday.

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