May 31, 2016
London: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif underwent an open heart surgery at
a private hospital here on Tuesday. The by-pass has been described as successful.
This is his second cardiac procedure in five years. The surgery which began at 12
pm lasted over four hours.
Sharif is expected to stay in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital for a few days
before being shifted to room.
Relatives and Sharif’s personal doctor were present during the surgery. They
included Sharif’s wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz and his brother, Punjab Chief Minister
Shahbaz Sharif, who were also present in the waiting room.
His daughter Maryam said on Twitter that Sharif (66) was in high spirits when he
entered the operation theatre at 8:00 am. “All arteries successfully grafted
Alhamdolillah," she said. “The doctors will advise when he can leave the hospital
and travel.” Sharif had talked to his mother on phone before going under the
knife.
The Prime Minister will be supervise governance from here during his stay in the
hospitral which is expected to be a week. The surgery comes days before his
Government is set to present its annual budget on Friday.
The Pak National Assembly on Tuesday offered prayers for Sharif’s speedy recovery.
A statement from the foreign office said Sharif phoned his Indian counterpart
Narendra Modi to thank him for wishing him speedy recovery. Several other world
leaders also joined in praying for him. According to a report, the Hindu community
of Rawalpindi and Islamabad also offered prayers for Sharif.
Meanwhile, the Sharif Government is also under pressure over allegations of his
involvement in the Panama papers leak scandal.
