President Asif Ali Zardari's health has been improving following a pre-diagnosed cardiovascular condition, a statement from President house read on Thursday.
Zardari was expected to undergo further tests in a Dubai hospital on Thursday after suffering a minor heart attack that forced allies to deny frenzied resignation rumours.
The statement quoted President's personal physician, Col. Salman that Zardari was recuperating with rest. "The President is stable, comfortable and is resting."
It added that tests so far had returned normal, "initial tests and investigations have been within normal range while further tests will be carried out," the statement read.
President Zardari was on Thursday spending a second day in a UAE bed while facing a major scandal over to what extent he was involved in alleged attempts by a close aide to seek US help to limit the power of Pakistan's military.
"President Zardari's condition is stable, he is fine, he is OK," presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told AFP on Thursday.
Zardari has a long-standing heart condition and his admittance to hospital sparked fevered speculation in the media and on microblogging site Twitter that he may step down.
His aides have so far been unable to say when he will return home, after one member of the cabinet initially said he would go back to Islamabad on Thursday.
"It depends on the doctors, when he will be discharged. They will tell after receiving results of some more tests," Babar added.
He said Zardari's illness stems from a "pre-existing heart condition" and that the president has been fitted with stents. He reportedly suffered a minor heart attack six years ago.
Mustafa Khokhar, an adviser to the prime minister on human rights, told AFP that Zardari suffered a "minor heart attack" and underwent an angioplasty.
COMMENTS (18)
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Let’s all first pray for the speedy recovery and lasting health of the President of Pakistan as he is a blessing for the Pakistan. PPP leadership should also respectfully advise the President Zardari to reduce his working hours and take plenty of rest and recovery fully before again taking the full burden. The great man must be thinking hard about the plight and future of the nation and that must have taken its toll. For the last four years he has seen and endured enough personally and in his official affairs. The vicissitudes of times have tested him well and he has passed all the tests, but after all he is human and that is why he has suffered the stroke. I am quite amused to see some people making wild guesses about the President. He is alright now, perfectly alright and just recovering now. The media speculations and statements of political opponents regarding President Asif Ali Zardari’s illness are heartless and apathetic and cruel. All the speculations about President Asif Ali Zardari would end within two to three days when he will again land in Pakistan smiling and cheering.
Mr. President: Please learn to trust your own people, especially doctors.
I think he went Dubai for check up because previously he was treated by the American doctors in USA. The nearest country was Dubaui where American doctors were available. Although in Pakistan there are a lot od talented specialists in the field but the reality on ground is that their success rate of recovery is very low. As an assett of the nation he went there.
I wish President Zardari a good health. I just have a question why he needed to go to Dubai for his medical treatment? Does he not trust his own doctors?
He is the nation's greatest leader and surely will return for the sake of his nation that is sick of the anti-democratic elements. We look forward to your return Mr. President.
@B,F I agreed many westren these days going to india for treatment for cheap and good.
Long Live President Zardari! I hope and pray for your quick return!
The constitution binds me to respect President whoever he/she is. Get well soon Mr. President. You have had cardiac attack, which is mini -death, I hope you would had learnt many things. Start good work in the interest of people of Pakistan please!
I dont understand why is he going all the way to Dubai when the best Doctors and medicine is available in India?
He could have gone on to Narayana Hrudayalaya in Bangalore. Its the best Heart-related ailment facility in South Asia.
We should not be happy on the illness of any one, rather we should pray for the recovery. After all President Zardari is also a human being and if gone to hospital, the rumours factories sponsored by the so called politicians became active. The politicians should face him in the field of politics. As every one aware that Zardari has played his card very tactfully. So be patience, he is not going anywhere.
THOUSANDS OF PPP WORKERS AND SUPPORTERS ARE PRAYING FOR HIS RECOVERY. ONCE AGAIN THE OPPOSITION RUMOURS WILL BE FLEW IN THE AIR. INSHALLAH
He is a lucky man, he will survive, a man who became the president of a nation out of nowhere, a man who himself had not even in the wildest of his dreams ever thought of acquiring such a profile, an accident made man is better protected than the whole nation, Get well soon, Mr President.
Are we in Venezuela or Cuba?
@K. Salim Jahangir: This Test is unique because of its three layered pressure which ails him!!!!!!!!!!!!! only One life-line (US) is concerned about him too much. Afterall, his contributions should be acknowledged by his benefactors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since the Pakistani tax payer is paying for the Air Ambulance and the Hospital Bill of Mr Zardari, they would naturally be entitled to know the results of all the tests if not the need for the tests.
He has already been tested enough!