LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif underwent various medical tests at the Services Hospital here on Sunday to ascertain severity of different diseases he is suffering from.

A hospital official said Mr Sharif underwent CT scan and ultrasound to assess the level of his kidney problem while blood tests were conducted to profile his heart issues. Besides the tests, he said, the former premier was medically examined for an hour before being shifted back to his VVIP room at the hospital, where strict security has been ensured.

The official said the tests had detected a stone in Mr Sharif’s left kidney.

Responding to a question, he said a medical board would examine the test reports and prescribe medicines to be taken and medical procedures to be adopted.

Surgeon Dr Mahmood Ayaz, medicine specialist Dr Kamran Cheema and Dr Sajid Nisar are members of the board and a cardiologist will be called if needed.

Maryam, with other family members, visits her father at Services Hospital

It is learnt that the board has decided to consult the personal physician of Mr Sharif, who was shifted to the Services Hospital from Kot Lakhpat Jail on Saturday on the advice of a special board, which also comprised two military doctors.

The Punjab government had directed the hospital management for a “detailed examination/investigation/management” of Mr Sharif in the “minimum required period”. However, the hospital authorities are not yet sure for how many days he will be kept at the health facility.

Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan says Mr Sharif will be sent back to jail once his health improves.

“He is being provided the best facilities in every way. He has also been given his favourite dishes in jail,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz along with her husband retired Capt Mohammad Safdar, son Junaid and son-in-law Raheel Munir visited Mr Sharif at the hospital.

Initially, the security personnel denied entry to Raheel but then allowed him to go in at the request of Ms Maryam. The family took lunch together as Ms Maryam had brought home-cooked food for her father.

A Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader told Dawn that Mr Sharif and her daughter discussed political affairs, particularly re-organisation of the party as there were some complaints from Sindh. The PML-N is preparing to launch a membership drive after March 23.

Meanwhile, PML-N supporters have set up a token hunger strike camp outside the hospital where charged workers raised slogans against the government and in favour of the PML-N supremo. Special prayers were also offered for speedy recovery of Mr Sharif.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2019