ISLAMABAD: The Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Saleem Mandviwala, has expressed grave concern over the health condition of former president Asif Ali Zardari in prison and called upon the government to immediately shift him to a hospital.

In a statement issued here, Mr Mandviwala said that doctors had advised shifting Mr Zardari to a hospital and providing him required health facilities.

“The government should follow doctors’ advice. Every prisoner has the right to have the medical ­treatment facility. Former president Zardari’s medical tests be conducted and it is binding that he should be shifted to the hospital as doctors have advised,” the Senate deputy chairman said.

Meanwhile, Member of National Assembly Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto has also urged the government to shift the former president to a hospital and provide him all medical facilities.

“The government cannot pressurise workers of the PPP through such tactics. Medical facilities should be provided to the former president even in jail,” she said.

The National Accountability Bureau arrested the PPP leader after cancellation of his pre-arrest bail by the Islamabad High Court in a fake bank accounts case. On Aug 16, the court sent the former president to Adiala jail on judicial remand.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2019