Pakistan’s Sharif to undergo open-heart surgery in London

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will undergo an openheart surgery in London, in what will be his second cardiac operation in five years, official sources said Monday.

Sharif, 66, is set to have the operation on Tuesday and will return to Pakistan once declared fit by doctors, Information Minister Pervez Rashid told state television network PTV.

The prime minister, who travelled to the United Kingdom with several members of his office, will attend through videoconferencing a Cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss the national budget for this fiscal year, and a National Economic Council meeting to study the country’s development plan.

A statement from the leader’s office said he will be away from responsibilities while recovering, but, it adds, “God willing, soon after the surgery the prime minister will be supervising the state’s affairs with the same spirit and energy.”

Local media, citing anonymous sources from Sharif’s office, reported that Finance minister Ishaq Dar will oversee the government during his absence.

The prime minister’s daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, tweeted that he will remain hospitalized for a week, after which he will return to Pakistan.

In the past year, Sharif has made several visits to London to receive medical treatment.

The Pakistani leader is currently locked in a complicated political situation after the Panama Papers leak revealed that three of his children own companies in tax havens with which they control properties in London. While admitting to ownership of these firms, the family has denied any wrongdoing.