ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was set to undergo open-heart surgery in a London hospital, hours after he chaired the meetings of the federal cabinet and the National Economic Council through video link on Monday. Talking to the newsmen at the PM House, Spokesman Dr Musaddik Malik said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did not allow his illness to come in the way of fulfillment of his official responsibilities. He said the prime minister was in high spirits and chaired the cabinet meeting just 14 hours before his surgery to save every single minute of the nation. He said that the prime minister’s pre-operation tests have already been conducted and surgery procedure would start at 0800 hours (UK time) Tuesday. Nawaz Sharif would be admitted in the hospital early morning where he would stay for a few days after surgery and later would be shifted to his home, he added. The spokesman said that people would be kept updated about the details of the prime minister’s treatment as well as schedule of PM’s return according to the advice of his doctors. He said world’s best doctors including prime minister’s personal physicians were part of the medical team. However, he said the hospital’s name could not be disclosed due to security reasons. He said though the prime minister would be undergoing a heart surgery, the doctors have assured that it was a routine operation. The spokesman said on doctors’ advice, the prime minister was spending some time with his family members in London but some people took the pictures and posted on social media with some sarcastic comments that was unfortunate. He said the prime minister was thankful to the nation for praying and extending good wishes for his early recovery.