London docs consider Sharif's toxicology screening for poisoning

A leading University College Hospital and Harley Street Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Hematologists at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital have hinted that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's toxicology screening for poisoning will be ordered in London if no cause or cure is found of his unstable platelets.

Islamabad: In a development likely to raise eyebrows, former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif's toxicology screening for poisoning might be ordered if no cause or cure is found of his unstable platelets.

Nawaz Sharif, the former three-time prime minister of Pakistan, is currently receiving treatment in London.

According to reports, a leading University College Hospital and Harley Street Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Hematologists at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital have hinted that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's toxicology screening for poisoning will be ordered in London if no cause or cure is found of his unstable platelets.

"If the platelet count does not respond, he may be considered for a possible toxicology screen. We want to target a platelet count between 50-150 to allow safe treatment with antiplatelet therapy," reports cited Dr David R Lawrence as writing in a report submitted before the Lahore High Court today.

Earlier on December 9, it was reported that Nawaz Sharif is likely to fly to the United States for the treatment of his ailment there.

Sharif has been diagnosed with an immune system disorder that has caused a low platelet count. Sources had said that the treatment of his ailment was not available in London and hence, he has to be shifted to the US for further medical treatment.

The ailing PML-N leader had arrived in the UK in an air ambulance accompanied by his younger brother and party president Shehbaz Sharif and personal physician Dr Adnan Malik.

Nawaz was allowed to fly abroad after the Lahore High Court had ordered the federal government to strike off his name from the Exit Control List for four weeks.

On October 27, the Islamabad High Court had granted an eight-week bail on medical grounds to Sharif who is serving a seven-year jail term in the Al-Azizia corruption case.