Nawaz Sharif's departure from Pakistan delayed once again

Islamabad - 'We had made all preparations at a private hospital in London for Sharif's treatment'

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's departure to London was delayed once again as a sub-committee of the Federal Cabinet headed by Law Minister Farogh Naseem could not decide on removing Sharif's name from the Exit Control List.

Sharif could not fly to London for medical treatment because his name figures on Exit Control List (ECL) as he has been convicted in corruption cases. Sharif, who is ill and suffering from the issue of platelets level had to go to London after the government's medical board recommended his treatment abroad.

He has been granted bail for eight weeks by the Islamabad High Court and Lahore High Court in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Chaudhry Sugar Mills cases on humanitarian grounds.

On November 8, Sharif was allowed in principle to travel abroad for seeking medical treatment, but the government on November 9 delayed the removal of Sharif's name from the Exit Control List, thus forcing a change in his plan to leave for London for treatment the next day.

"We had made all preparations at a private hospital in London for Sharif's treatment. The delay can cause serious problems to his health condition, which is deteriorating day by day," said Sharif's kin.

The Pakistan Muslim League-N had filed a request to remove Nawaz's name from the Exit Control List so he could travel abroad and get treated.

• Pakistan