Nawaz Sharif to visit China for 'medical checkup'

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif will leave for China today (April 22) on a five-day "personal visit", sources said on Monday.

During the visit, the three-time premier will undergo a medical checkup in the South Asian country, according to sources.

Sources added that Nawaz Sharif will also hold meetings with the owners of Chinese companies related to the development works in Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

The former prime minister will travel with Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, sources informed.

However, no further details regarding the visit were provided by the sources.

It's pertinent to mention here that Nawaz was living in London since November 2019 for medical treatment after the Lahore High Court (LHC) allowed him a four-week reprieve.

He was serving seven-year imprisonment in the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore in the Al-Azizia corruption case before his departure to London on medical grounds.

On Oct 21 last year, the seasoned politician returned to his homeland after ending four years of self-imposed exile in the UK. He was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters at Minar-e-Pakistan.

Later in a month, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted the veteran politico in the Avenfield Apartments reference case.

The same court, in November 2023, gave relief to Nawaz in the Al-Azizia reference.

The PML-N supremo was eyeing to become the prime minister for a fourth time, however, his party failed to obtain a simple majority in the February 8 polls, prompting his political party to form a coalition government with PPP, MQM-P, and other parties in federal.