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PM Nawaz to undergo open heart surgery in London

By
Web Desk

May 27, 2016

PM Nawaz to undergo open heart surgery in London

LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz will have an open heart surgery on Tuesday and doctors have advised him to take a week long rest after the operation, his family and officials said on Friday night.

A spokesman for the prime minister 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.

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.

Our correspondent in the UK capital said First Lady Kulsoom Nawaz and sons Hassan and Hussain Nawaz are accompanying the prime minister in London.

Prime Minister Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz also tweeted about the development, saying: “PM in 2011 had a cardiac procedure called ‘Atrial Fibrillation Ablation’, during which certain complications occurred resulting in.... Perforation of heart which was in turn treated by open heart surgery.”

She further said: “The team of cardiologists & cardiac surgeons after thorough examination. Scans & tests, have decided to go for an open heart surgery. He will be on specific medication for the next 3 days before his surgery on Tues.

“The recovery period & hospital stay will be one week & he will travel Insha'Allah back to Pak as soon as the doctors allow. Prayers needed.”

PM's son Hasan Nawaz told Geo News that when Nawaz Sharif came to London from Pakistan almost a month ago, the doctors had told him that a new episode has developed but the doctors stated that they will not touch it.

“We were told to wait till the PM recovers from that. The PM then left for Pakistan because he had urgent matters to deal with. Three days ago doctors did the angiogram and then closed it without doing the angiography. The doctors said that it’s a severe matter and should be done through angioplasty.

"It was a team of cardiologist and cardiac surgeon and physicians who discussed and then decided that he must have an open heart surgery. The PM has been taking blood thinners.”

Hasan Nawaz added that according to normal protocol the PM has to be in intensive care unit for three to four days. After the open heart surgery, its likely that the PM will leave for Pakistan after around two weeks.

The prime minister is caught up in a controversy at home after 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 including politicians and celebrities expressed solidarity with the ailing prime minister of the country. PPP Chairman Bilawal also appealed to the nation to pray for PM Nawaz’s quick recovery.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also prayed for successful surgery of PM Nawaz.

– Additional reporting by Murtaza Ali Shah