Pakistani PM leaves for London, holds meeting with aides

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday left for London for a "personal and medical checkup".

Before departing, Sharif held a meeting with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali and Punjab Chief Minister -- and his brother -- Shahbaz Sharif as well as other senior aides at Lahore's Allama Iqbal Airport.

Sharif discussed with the aides the implications of the Panama Papers scandal and the current political situation in the country, Dawn online quoted sources as saying.

"It's just a personal visit and Sharif will not hold political meetings during his stay in London," said Asif Kirmani, the prime minister's political secretary.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz, who is tipped to take over the reins of the party in the future, posted a photo of the prime minister before leaving the country.

"Nawaz will spend one week in London and would also visit doctors for medical treatment," added Kirmani.

Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain has left for Istanbul on a three-day visit to attend an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation conference.