Sharif 'continues to have AC, TV in prison'

 Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif continues to have an air conditioner, television, heater and other facilities in prison, the Punjab province's government said on Saturday in response to a letter it received from opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif seeking an update on the facilities given to his brother in jail.

The three-time Premier is imprisoned in Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail after an accountability court handed him a seven-year jail term in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case.

In a letter written by Shehbaz Sharif to the Punjab Chief Secretary, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) President demanded an explanation about the facilities being provided to Nawaz Sharif. The letter was then forwarded to the Home Minister.

Geo News, citing sources, reported that the provincial government in its response said that Nawaz Sharif "continues to have the facility of an air conditioner and others on the recommendation of the medical board". 

He was also being provided with a heater, television, table, chair as well as other exercise equipment, the report said.

According to reports, the Punjab government had earlier this year said that Sharif was denied an assistant and that he was told to clean his prison cell himself.

Nawaz Sharif has been serving the jail term since December 24, 2018. The Al-Azizia Steel Mills corruption case was filed in the wake of the apex court's July 28, 2017 order in the Panama Papers case.

He was sentenced after the ruling that Al-Azizia Steel Mills -- a Saudi Arabian firm carrying the name of the former Prime Minister's son -- belonged to Sharif who could not clarify how the project was funded. IANS