United Kingdom, London: The open-heart surgery of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is underway in London’s Harley Street Clinic today . The world renowned surgeons are reportedly present in the operation theatre for the surgery.

Sources said that the premier will remain in intensive care unit (ICU) for 48 hours after the operation while he was also advised by the doctors to remain under treatment in the hospital for further two weeks.

Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz took to the micro-blogging website Twitter and posted that: PM s surgery started at 8 am UK time. Spoke to him earlier, he was in high spirits. I entrusted him to Allah. Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Shehbaz Sharif has asked the nation to pray for the successful surgery and early recovery of PML-N chief. He has also told the media that the premier recited Holy Quran’s verses before entering the operation theatre. Shehbaz Sharif said that Nawaz Sharif is like his father who has always encouraged him in every walk of life.

According to Prime Minister’s spokesman Musaddiq Malik, decision of PM Nawaz’s return to country will be made after consultation with his medical practitioners. On the other hand, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar will look after the government affairs in PM’s absence. PM’s grandson and other family members have thanked nation for extending well wishes and prayers ahead of Nawaz Sharif surgery.

Earlier on Monday, PM Nawaz telephoned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thanked him for extending well wishes. Presidents of Turkey, Russia and Tajikistan conveyed best wishes to PM Nawaz ahead of his open-heart surgery. Nawaz Sharif has been under tremendous pressure from opposition parties to step down since his family members were named in the mass leak of offshore account data from the Panama firm Mossack Fonseca. The opposition has joined hands to hold unbiased probe into the matter.