President discusses physical, political health

Discuss the President's health and brief him over the latest developments in the country.

KARACHI: Political leaders visited the president on Tuesday to ask about his health, both physical and political, with recent developments – top of the list being Memogate – discussed behind closed doors.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan called on the president at Bilawal House in the evening. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah was also present at the meetings; it is believed that further meetings took place at the Governor House.

Earlier, Zardari asked PPP leaders, including the Sindh chief minister and Speaker Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, to expedite arrangements for the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto at Garhi Khuda Bukhsh on December 27.

The president’s spokesperson, Farhatullah Babar, also denied reports that the president was planning to visit London.

Separately, the president also expressed profound grief and shock over a story reported on Monday, that over 50 Pakistani youth from Quetta are missing at sea in East Java. More than 200 passengers, including 55 Pakistanis, are reported missing after the ship sank. The president, after expressing his grief and shock, called for a report from the concerned authorities, according to his spokesman.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 21^st, 2011.