PM Imran 'respects' SC decision regarding Nawaz Sharif's bail

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed on Tuesday that his government respects court decisions regarding the Supreme Court's approval of bail plea to former premier Nawaz Sharif for six weeks.

The premier was informed about the apex court's decision during a meeting of the federal cabinet, to which he replied, "We had already directed that Nawaz Sharif be provided with all medical facilities."

"The courts and institutions in the country are independent," the premier commented and added that he was praying for Nawaz's health.

Earlier today, the top court granted Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz supreme leader, bail for six weeks to obtain medical treatment but within the country.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Asif Saeed Khosa heard the former premier's petition against a verdict by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) which had denied bail to the politician on medical grounds in the Al-Azizia corruption reference.

Announcing a short verdict, Justice Khosa directed that the politician will not be allowed to leave the country. The bench directed that Nawaz's bail can be extended.

If needed, the high court can be approached for an extension in the bail term, the court stated.

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The ex-premier was sent to seven years behind bars in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills reference by the accountability court in Islamabad in December last year.

Nawaz Sharif was also convicted in the Avenfiled reference by the accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir, however, he was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court.

The three-time prime minister had been relocated between Kot Lakhpat Jail and hospital multiple times on the recommendation of the medical board, however, recently he refused to be relocated to any hospital.

Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz had been accusing the sitting government of not providing adequate medical care to the three-time prime minister - a charge the sitting regime denies.