LONDON: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif‘s request for an extension in his visit visa has been turned down by British authorities, media reported on Thursday.
Nawaz’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.
The Sharif family confirmed the development, with Nawaz’s son Hussain Nawaz saying the decision will be appealed.
PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb was quoted by Geo New as saying that the British home department stated in their response that Nawaz can appeal the decision with an immigration tribunal. She said Nawaz’s lawyers had therefore filed an appeal with the tribunal, which include his medical records.
Marriyum said that until the tribunal makes a decision, the home department’s orders will remain ineffective. “Nawaz Sharif can legally reside in Britain until the decision,” she said.
The PML-N spokesperson clarified that Nawaz “has not and will never seek political asylum”.
“These people have nothing better than to do than to speak lies about Nawaz Sharif every day,” she said.
Later, the PML-N supremo and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif spoke, where Nawaz informed his younger brother that his lawyers had filed an appeal against the decision, according to a statement by the party on Twitter.
In the appeal, the lawyers have made Nawaz’s health the grounds for his stay in the United Kingdom, the statement said.
Shahbaz urged Nawaz to remain in Britain till he recovers and told him that the nation and party hold his safety and health above everything else, the statement said. “The entire nation and party are praying for your recovery,” Shahbaz told Nawaz.
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