UK authorities refuse Nawaz Sharif's visa extension request

Nawaz Sharif had applied for the extension in his visa to further saty in the UK. Pakistan has already cancelled the passport of the PML-N stalwart.

Nawaz's six-month visit visa had expired, after which he had submitted a request with the UK Home Office to grant him an extension on health grounds.

As per rules, Nawaz can appeal against the decision. He would have to file fresh extension application for further staying in the UK.

Accoridng to British laws, Nawaz Sharif have few days left to leave Britain. 

Eralier, the Lahore High Court had granted Nawaz four-week permission to go to London on medical grounds. The federal governemnt too allowed him.  

PML-N's reaction

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a statement that the UK Home Office has excused itself from further extending Muhammad Nawaz Sharif's visa," 

پاکستان مسلم لیگ (ن) کی ترجمان مریم اورنگزیب کا وزیر اطلاعات فواد چوہدری کے بیان پر ردعمل

قائد محمد نوازشریف قانونی تقاضوں کو پورا کرتے ہوئے برطانیہ میں ہی قیام کریں گے

جب تک ان کا علاج نہیں ہوجاتا اور ڈاکٹر انہیں اجازت نہیں دیتے، نوازشریف برطانیہ میں ہی رہیں گے

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) August 5, 2021

She said the Home Office had stated that Nawaz could file an appeal against this decision in the immigration tribunal.

"Nawaz Sharif's lawyers have filed the appeal in the British immigration tribunal," Aurangzeb added.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said the Home Office's order would remain "without effect" until a decision on the appeal, and that "Nawaz Sharif can reside in the UK legally until the appeal is decided."

Nawaz’s visa rejection a welcoming development: Fawad

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the rejection of extension in visa of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif by the United Kingdom was a welcome development.

PML-N leader should better approach the Pakistan High Commission in London for getting temporary traveling documents and return home to serve the remaining jail term, he said in a video statement.

Fawad said it was abundantly clear that Nawaz Sharif was not sick as he was seen dining in restaurants and strolling (on London roads), but he had obtained the visa by telling lies to the British authorities about his health.

He said,“We have said time and again that Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have no personal enmity against Nawaz Sharif.”

The issue, in fact, was that he (Nawaz) was a fugitive (in London) after looting billions of rupees of the national wealth, and he should have to return that in order to live a normal life at his home, he added.

In case, he did not return the looted money, he would have to go to jail, the minister said.

He said the Pakistan Government and the community had demanded the British Government not to give refuge to the people, who were involved in billions of rupees corruption.

Fawad said the first option for Nawaz Sharif was to turn up at the Pakistan High Commission, get travel documents, return home, complete the jail sentence and fight his corruption cases.

Secondly, the minister said, he could challenge the decision of UK authorities. But he had no grounds for the purpose. He was not ill as the relevant authorities were witnessing his dining at restaurants and roaming on the roads, besides holding meetings. He might be sentenced by the UK courts again for not providing actual information about his health, he added.