Reacting to strong criticism over his absence from the country on Eid and for missing from the scene when the Lahore district administration seemed paralyzed due to heavy rains that filled the streets and roads of Lahore with water, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday said in a Facebook post on his official page that he is suffering from backbone cancer for the last several years and goes to London twice a year for its treatment.

“A number of people asked a very valid question that Why do I visit London for my medical checkup …Dear Friends, I never wanted to tell my story to anyone … but I think you all deserve to know the facts … During Musharraf era, when I was sent in exile … I was diagnosed with backbone cancer and at that time I was in London … so naturally treatment got started there … In continuation of it, I still have to visit my oncologist couple of times a year … It is recommended that one should stick with same oncologist who has been with you since start and understands your complete case …

“Friends, Let me assure you that I, Alhumdulillah, pay for all my expenses of travelling, boarding, treatment and medication myself … and not a single penny is ever taken from Punjab govt for this purpose … May Allah bless you all with good health and long life … Ameen!!! … SS.”