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Pakistan's Convicted Ex-PM Flown to London for Medical Treatment

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, who is
   serving a seven-year jail term for corruption and money laundering,
   left for London Tuesday to receive medical treatment there.

   Sharif boarded an air-ambulance arranged by his family from his native
   city of Lahore. His younger brother, Shehbaz Sharif, the head of the
   main opposition Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) party, also accompanied
   the ailing politician.

   The 69-year-old Sharif was released on bail last month on medical
   grounds. But his personal doctors and legal aides had maintained from
   the outset his deteriorating health and multiple medical complications
   required him to seek treatment of his choice outside Pakistan.

   However, Sharif could not undertake the journey until last Saturday
   when a high court responded to his request and ordered the government
   to remove his name from a so-called "exit control list" that prevents
   suspects or convicts from leaving Pakistan.

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