Pakistan’s court has ordered conviction of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s release on bail so he can seek medical treatment at home or abroad, his family and a defence lawyer said.
The decision was announced by the Lahore High Court after hearing a petition from Sharif’s brother, Shahbaz Sharif, who heads the main opposition Pakistan Muslim League party.
But it doesn’t mean that the former premier will automatically be freed as he faces another appeal hearing for bail next week. Lawyer Ashtar Ausaf said
“We are grateful to God. We are grateful to the judiciary which has granted bail to Nawaz Sharif who is facing a complicated disease,” Sharif’s brother told reporters outside the court in Lahore. “I request the nation to pray for speedy recovery of its leader,” Sharif.
Maryam Aurangzeb, a spokeswoman for Sharif, said she hopes he will be granted bail in the second case as well so that he can receive medical treatment at a hospital of his choice. So far, it was unclear whether Sharif would wish to travel for treatment outside Pakistan.
