UK turns down Nawaz Sharif’s request for visa extension

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s request for an extension in his visit visa has been turned down by British authorities, on Thursday.

The PML-N supremo’s six-month visit visa had expired, after which he had put in a request with the UK Home Office to grant him an extension on health grounds. The immigration department, however, denied the request.

Nawaz now has two options: to appeal the decision with the department, and in the event, it is turned down, he can approach British courts.

Sharif, the 71-year-old supremo of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz who was ousted from power in 2017 by the Supreme Court on corruption charges, is in London since November 2019, after the federal government gave him rare permission to get abroad for medical treatment.

The incumbent government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been sought repatriation of the former three-time prime minister from the United Kingdom as he is convicted in Avenfield and Al-Azizia corruption cases.

Back in March this year, the Ministry of Interior refused to extend the passport of Sharif as he had been declared an absconder by courts in Pakistan.

He now has to request travel documents from the government of Pakistan for his return.

Spokesperson of Prime Minister Dr Shahbaz Gill was quick to show his elation on Twitter over the development and made some sarcastic remarks against Sharif.