LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s ailment has not been diagnosed yet, his personal physician told Arab News on Saturday, adding that he was still in a serious medical state.
“The team of doctors has not succeeded in finding the real medical problem and Nawaz Sharif’s condition is still critical,” Dr. Adnan Khan said.
He continued that a delicate balance between coagulation and anticoagulation was required to maintain his health status stable, adding that the former premier needed a combination of medicines.
“He is still critical … The medical team tried to reduce the steroids being given to him, but it resulted in a drop in his platelet count unfortunately, posing a serious threat to his health again,” Khan told Arab News.
“He is on life saving doses of steroids and eltrombopag … to achieve a platelet count safe for the maintenance of coronary/carotid circulation to avoid a heart attack, stroke and spontaneous bleeding; but the treatment itself leads to complicated clinical consequences with significantly unstable critical health status,” he added.
Sharif was shifted to Lahore’s Services Hospital about two weeks ago from the Punjab Headquarters of the National Accountability Bureau, where he was held in physical captivity and interrogated in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills (CSM) case. His daughter, Maryam Nawaz, and nephew, Yousaf Abbas, are co-accused in the case on money-laundering charges.
Since he was brought to the hospital, Sharif's health has not stabilized and his platelet count has remained too low. He also suffered a minor heart attack last week that was confirmed by his personal doctor and the provincial health minister, Dr. Yasmeen Rashed.
Owing to his health condition, the Islamabad High Court suspended his seven-year sentence for eight weeks, granting him bail on medical grounds. Sharif is serving a jail term in another case for possessing assets beyond his stated means of income.
Members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are concerned about the health of their leader, demanding that he should get the treatment of his choice.
“I have met Mian Nawaz Sharif and also gone through his medical reports. He is suffering from multiple diseases, making the medical management difficult. If the doctors try to raise his platelets, they increase the danger of heart attack. His problem needs to be diagnosed properly. We demand his treatment at the place and by the medical team of his choice,” Senator Dr. Asad Ashraf said while talking to Arab News.
'Serious threat' to Nawaz Sharif's health, says personal physician
'Serious threat' to Nawaz Sharif's health, says personal physician
- Says Sharif's health problem is yet to be diagnosed
- PML-N stalwarts maintain the former premier must be allowed to get medical treatment at the place of his choosing
Pakistan’s PIA enters into cargo deal with Air France-KLM to boost exports
- As per agreement, PIA’s freight division will gain access to Air France-KLM’s network of European, American cities
- Exporters will be able to use both PIA, Air France–KLM’s networks under a single air waybill, says Pakistani airline
KARACHI: The recently privatized Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a cargo agreement with global aviation group Air France-KLM to expand its global outreach and push Pakistani exports to more international markets.
The PIA said its agreement with Air France-KLM came into force on Jan. 15. Air France-KLM operates in 320 destinations and is a global aviation player in passenger, cargo and maintenance businesses.
As per the agreement, PIA Cargo, the airline’s freight division, will gain access to Air France–KLM’s global network. Through the deal, PIA Cargo will gain access to Air France–KLM’s global network via Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam.
Air France-KLM’s network includes major European cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf, and New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles, the PIA said.
“Significant improvement is expected in the exports of Pakistani products and access to global markets,” the PIA said in a statement.
Exporters will be able to use both the PIA’s and Air France–KLM’s networks under a single air waybill, the airline said.
An air waybill is a document used in international air shipping that serves as a legal, non-negotiable contract between the shipper and the airline.
In November 2025, PIA and Biman Bangladesh Airlines signed a Cargo Interline Special Agreement to expand cargo business and augment bilateral trade. The partnership aims to minimize logistical complexities in transporting commodities.
The PIA was Pakistan’s national flag carrier until a Pakistani consortium, led by the Arif Habib Group, secured a 75 percent stake in the airline in December for Rs135 billion ($482 million). Pakistan had previously attempted to reform the debt-ridden airline, which had accumulated more than $2.8 billion in financial losses over the years.
PIA’s new owner Arif Habib announced last week that the airline is in talks with aerospace manufacturers Boeing and Airbus as it plans to revamp service and expand its current fleet.
The PIA has said it plans to increase the airline’s fleet to 64 aircraft from the current figure of 19 over the next eight years.
