Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's wife, has reportedly been diagnosed with throat cancer, a high-level PML-N source said on Tuesday.

A senior PML-N party leader close to the Sharif family confirmed to Dawn that the cancer had been detected in London where Begum Kulsoom was undergoing medical checkups.

The PML-N source speaking to Dawn said that she was likely to opt for chemotheraphy instead of surgery. However, he added, this is an initial diagnosis and further information will be made available as more tests are conducted.

Geo News on Tuesday also reported that Begum Kulsoom had been diagnosed with throat cancer, citing doctors in the United Kingdom. The doctors added that the cancer is treatable.

Kulsoom Nawaz left for London unexpectedly on August 17 for a medical checkup.

Her flight departed hours ahead of her scheduled appearance before the Election Commission of Pakistan, where her nomination papers were to be scrutinised for the upcoming NA-120 by-poll on Sept 17.

The seat fell vacant after Nawaz Sharif was disqualified by the Supreme Court in the Panamagate case on July 28 on charges of concealing his salary from a Dubai-based company, which he claims he had never received.

Geo News reported that Maryam Nawaz, Sharif's daughter, will run the election campaign in Begum Kulsoom's absence.