LAHORE: Former Punjab health minister Dr Yasmin Rashid has drawn a contrast between the state’s treatment of Nawaz Sharif in 2019 and that of Imran Khan today, recalling how the PML-N leader was sent abroad on bail for cardiac care within days while alleging that the incumbent government is blatantly violating Supreme Court orders in Khan’s case.

In a letter sent through her counsel Rana Mudassar Umer on Monday, Dr Rashid said the shocking behaviour of the government regarding the treatment of Imran Khan should be condemned at all forums.

Dr Rashid stated the then PTI government had facilitated Mr Sharif’s treatment in the UK on humanitarian grounds but it had denied similar compassion to Imran Khan. “I wonder how can Nawaz Sharif live with all these lies,” she bemoaned.

She stated that she was the health minister when Nawaz was admitted to Services Hospital in 2019. A medical board was formed in less than 18 hours and Dr Adnan, Mr Sharif’s personal physician, was a part of that board. On day two, she said, she went and met Nawaz personally carrying a message from the then prime minister, which said: “the prime minister is concerned about your health, he is sending his best wishes and has asked if you are satisfied with the treatment”.

Says only Imran had compassion and boldness to let Nawaz go for treatment

She stated that the reply she received from Nawaz Sharif was that he was satisfied with his treatment and “thanked” her for taking personal interest in his treatment. “During my visit, Shehbaz Sharif, along with three other people, was sitting with him.

At night, Maryam Nawaz was shifted to Services Hospital so that she could be with her father and was sent back to Kot Lakhpat jail after spending the night with her father,” she explained. On his request, Nawaz was sent to the Sharif City Hospital and then went to Jati Umra, when a second ICU was established.

Ms Rashid said Nawaz was not ready to have cardiac treatment in Pakistan and wanted it from the UK, where he was operated in 2015. She said she had supported Mr Sharif’s request that he should be sent to the UK. “Imran Khan agreed and he was sent on bail, on a bond signed by Shehbaz Sharif on Rs50 stamp paper”.

She said the Punjab Cabinet also gave a go-ahead and she herself followed up his treatment in the UK. After that, Nawaz refused to come back and was declared an “absconder”.

“I realise now that only Imran Khan has the moral strength to take such a compassionate and bold step to let him (Nawaz) go for his treatment,” she stated.

Dr Rashid observed that it was wrong to expect that the incumbent government would give an equivalent response. “They are petrified of Imran Khan and of the love people of Pakistan have for him,” she added.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2026