Pakistan: Former premier moves back to prison

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Former Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif was shifted from the hospital to prison on Tuesday after doctors said his health was improving, local media reported.

On Sunday, Sharif was moved to a hospital from the Adiala jail in Rawalpindi city after he complained of pain in his chest and arm.

Sharif is serving jail time in a corruption case.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, his personal physician Dr. Adnan Khan said: "The former prime minister is a cardiac patient and his health has deteriorated in prison."

Last week, a team of doctors said in report that Sharif's heartbeat had been irregular due to dehydration and the presence of urea in his blood could cause acute renal failure.

Also, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday phoned Sharif’s younger brother Shehbaz Sharif and inquired about the former premier's health.

“President Erdogan phoned me and inquired about Mian Nawaz Sharif and expressed concern on his health, he also conveyed his best wishes for the recovery of Begum Kalsoom Nawaz [ailing wife of Sharif]," Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.

Earlier this month, a Pakistani court handed a 10-year jail term to Sharif and imposed an 8-million-pound ($10.58-million) fine in a graft case linked to the purchase of four luxury apartments in London in 1993.