Nawaz Sharif files appeal after request for UK visa extension denied

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif filed an appeal in a tribunal after his request for an extension in his visit visa was turned down by British authorities, PML-N confirmed on Thursday.

Sharif’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.

PML-N confirmed the development.

“Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif will stay in the UK while fulfilling the legal requirements. Until he is treated and doctors allow him, Nawaz Sharif will remain in the UK,” Marriym Aurangzeb, the PML-N spokeswoman, said.

“The British Home Office has apologized for further extension of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s visa. The decision of the British Home Department states that Nawaz Sharif can appeal against this decision to the Immigration Tribunal. Lawyers have filed an appeal in the British Immigration Tribunal,” she said.

The Home Department’s ruling will remain ineffective until a decision is made on an appeal to the Immigration Tribunal. Until a decision is made on the appeal, Nawaz Sharif can stay in the UK legally,” she added.

“When Nawaz Sharif left his wife on her death bed and returned home, the hired spokespersons were still engaging in the politics of lies. They can only play politics in the name of Shahbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif’s health. They feel pity for the helplessness of political orphans.”

Meanwhile, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed said that Nawaz’s passport — a diplomat passport owing to him being a former prime minister — had expired on February 16 and that he is “no longer a citizen of Pakistan”.

He said after the expiry, Nawaz had not applied for a renewal.

“If Nawaz Sharif wishes to come to Pakistan, he can obtain a passport within 24 hours,” he said, adding that the embassy can only issue a passport for his return to Pakistan.

Rasheed said that Pakistan has been trying to bring Nawaz back for a while but is unable to do so. “Only Nawaz knows whether or not he wishes to come back,” he remarked.

The interior minister said that Nawaz cannot travel anywhere with his expired Pakistani passport.