Pakistan: Oppn reacts as indisposed PM Sharif runs country from London

Islamabad, June 17: The prolonged absence of Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from his country owing to health reasons has evoked sharp reaction, the Dawn reported.

Sharif had flown to London on May 22 for a medical check-up and five days later, his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced on micro-blogging site Twitter that the former would undergo an open-heart surgery.

The Pakistani premier, who is recovering after the surgery, has been running his country from an apartment at Park Lane owned by his sons. The arrangement has earned reaction from Sharif's critics who said he is heading a government in self-exile, the report said.

Sharif, who completed three years in office this month, chaired important meetings from the Pakistan High Commission in London through video links to give his formal approval to the 2016-17 budget.
The Opposition has voiced concern over Sharif's continued absence and sought a change in the leadership. Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan of the PTI said had his party been in charge, he would have a fitter person to take up the reins.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto also said Sharif should step aside temporarily owing to his health and also the constroversy around the Panama Papers leaks, the Dawn report added.

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