Nawaz Sharif leaves for London to visit ailing wife; Opposition speculates he might be trying to flee Pakistan before likely conviction in graft cases

Lahore: Pakistan’s deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday, left for London along with his daughter to see his ailing wife amid speculations that he might not return because of a likely conviction in three corruption cases against him. As Sharif’s family spokesman did not reveal his return schedule, analysts in Lahore believe that it is likely that Sharif will skip his appearance before a combined investigation team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Lahore on 21 April. [caption id=“attachment_4127073” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Nawaz Sharif. AP[/caption] NAB has summoned Sharif for allegedly misusing his authority for illegal construction of a road leading to his Jati Umra, Raiwind residence. Sharif, who was disqualified by the Supreme Court, is due to appear in the accountability court on 23 April in a corruption case. But, it is likely that he may skip it. “Begum Kulsoom Nawaz has been under treatment in a hospital in London as her condition is serious,” the family spokesperson said, adding that because of her serious condition Sharif and his daughter have to be with her. Maryam also tweeted about her mother. “My mother is hospitalised again. Remember her in your special prayers. I know prayers can do wonders. Allah answers prayers,” Maryam tweeted. Kulsoom, last year, had undergone a surgery for lymphoma (throat cancer). Her condition recently deteriorated and she was hospitalised. Last week, Pakistan prime minister Shahid Khakan Abbasi had shown reluctance to place the names of Nawaz Sharif and his family on the Exit Control List (ECL). The NAB had asked to include the names of Sharif’s children, Maryam, Hassan and Hussain,  his son-in-law retired on the ECL. All of them are being tried in accountability courts over the Panama Leaks cases. Sharif’s two sons are already in London. They have been declared proclaimed offenders by the accountability court in the corruption cases against them. Opposition parties especially the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has criticised the government for not placing the Sharif family on ECL. “Nawaz Sharif and Maryam left the country at the time when a decision against them by the accountability court is about to come,” Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf senior leader Babar Awan said and claimed that Sharif would not return to the country. “Nawaz Sharif has left the country on the pretext of his wife’s ailment,” he said.