Prime Minister Nawaz undergoes an open heart surgery Tuesday (today) that started at 12:00 (PST) in London’s Harley Street clinic.
The doctors have advised him to take a week long rest after the operation.
PM daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted:
PM’s surgery started at 8 am UK time. Spoke to him earlier, he was in high spirits. I entrusted him to Allah.
Allah-hu-Shaafi.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) May 31, 2016
He will spend a few days at the facility to recover from the surgery.
“I want to thank my well-wishers everywhere for praying for me,” PM told the media, saying there are no complications so far and everything is going as planned.
Read more: Thankful to nation for its prayers: PM
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s House said the surgery would be carried out on Tuesday morning. He said doctors suggested an open heart surgery after conducting several tests and examinations.
The spokesman said Finance Minister Ishaq Dar would look after political and official affairs in the absence of the prime minister.
Read more: Federal cabinet approves Rs 4.5tr budget for next fiscal year
The premier checked himself into the hospital in central London for medical checkups after which doctors decided to conduct open heart surgery instead of angioplasty.
The prime minister is caught up in a controversy at home after the revelation of Panama Papers which include names of his children, with opposition joining hands to put pressure on the government to come clean on offshore interests of the ruling family.
Many notables personalities including politicians and celebrities expressed solidarity with the ailing prime minister of the country.
Read more: Nawaz makes pre-surgery phone call to Modi