President in Dubai: US quashes coup rumours

President recovering; to return home after further tests.

WASHINGTON: As Pakistan battles perhaps its worst ever crisis in US relations, the absence of the president from the country has never been more acute. However, rumours that a Zardari resignation was imminent were dismissed by the US State Department on Thursday, as the office publicly stated they believed his irregular movements were “completely health-related”.

Asked if the US was worried that a quiet coup was underway against the embattled president, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said the US had “no concerns and no reason to believe” the speculation. Over in Brussels, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also said the US had no reason to speculate about Zardari’s condition and expected him to be able to return to work in full health. From the Pakistani presidency, Farhatullah Babar said the reports were “imaginary and untrue”, comments which were echoed by PPP leader Dr Babar Awan, who brushed aside the rumours as irrelevant.

Meanwhile, the White House sent the president a diplomatic ‘get well’ card. “We have seen the reports. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery,” said spokesman Jay Carney.

If Zardari remains in office until 2013 when his mandate ends and elections are held, it would be the first democratic transition of power in the country’s history, which has seen the military stage four coups.

President’s health improves

Following two frenzied days of rumours and denials, Zardari has been quietly and steadily convalescing following his minor heart attack.

A statement from President House quoted Zardari’s personal physician, Colonel Salman: “The president is stable, comfortable and is resting.” It went on to say that tests so far “have been within normal range, while further tests will be carried out.”

After contradictory statements on Wednesday about his medical condition, which fuelled speculation of political change at the highest level, the president’s aides were on message and unambiguous on Thursday. “The president’s condition is stable, he is fine, he is OK,” added spokesperson Farhatullah Babar.

Details also emerged about specific concerns over the president’s health. Officials denied reports that Zardari underwent an angioplasty, though they confirmed he had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test at the American Hospital in Dubai. This was done to check his brain for blood clots, a possible knock-on effect from the three stents the president already has in his heart. These were inserted after Zardari suffered a minor heart attack six years ago.

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 told the media.

Nawaz calls Gilani

An ironic consequence of illness is that it often brings hostile factions together, even if insincerely. In this vein, PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif called Gilani on Thursday afternoon to ask about the president’s health and express his wish for a speedy recovery. It was the first interaction between the two leaders since the All Parties Conference in September.

The PM’s spokesperson said that Gilani was grateful to Nawaz; he also thanked his political rival on behalf of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the president’s son. The call, however, was not all pleasantries: politics was discussed, as both leaders exchanged their views on recent developments. The PM reportedly said that any efforts to destabilise the government would threaten democracy in the country, something for which both the PPP and PML-N have sacrificed much.

(AGENCIES, WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SUMERA KHAN IN ISLAMABAD)

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2011.