PHOTO: FILE
The expertise of renowned British-Pakistani heart and lung surgeon Dr Hasnat Ahmed Khan is being sought for former president Pervez Musharraf, The Express Tribune has learnt.
According to a source in the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), the seven-member medical board treating Musharraf has asked Dr Khan to give his opinion over the former military ruler’s health problems.
Musharraf has been kept in AFIC since Thursday when he suffered cardiac arrest on the way to the hearing of the treason case against him.
The source said that board member and chief executive officer of the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology Gen (retd) Azhar Mahmood Kiyani is consulting Dr Khan over whether the former president should be moved abroad for treatment.
Considered among the best cardiac surgeons in the world, Dr Khan played a key role in moving Malala Yousafzai from AFIC to England after she was shot by the Taliban last year. He is said to enjoy good ties with various hospitals in the UK. Dr Khan serves as the head of the surgery department at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology.
Despite repeated attempts, Dr Kiyani could not be contacted for comment.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Musharraf’s lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri confirmed that consultations with various national and international doctors were under way.
Meanwhile, a source said Musharraf was doing considerably better on Saturday and made phone calls to close friends and associates. The former president also underwent further tests, the source added.
Visitors and activists from the All Pakistan Muslim League were not allowed to see Musharraf on Saturday. Dozens of APML activists and supporters remained outside AFIC, chanting slogans in favour of their leader and praying for his quick recovery.
“We are here to express solidarity with our leader… Although we are not allowed to meet him, we are still satisfied,” said Syeda Firdous, political coordinator of the APML.
Security remained tight inside and outside of AFIC. Troops have been deployed inside the hospital building while the Rangers, the Elite Force and Rawalpindi Police are performing security duties outside the premises.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2014.
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@Kaleem: propaganda from the corrupt opponents of Musharraf, no Pakistani's were handed over to the U.S,foreign fighters in Afghanistan on the run from U.S forces were captured by the Pakistani army crossing in to Pakistan,government of Pakistan offered these people to their countries of origin, when their countries refused to take them back,that's when they were handed over to the U.S,for the four years Musharraf was away from Pakistan, the corrupt politicians, some biased media turned these foreign fighters into Pakistani's and in the process succeeded in making people believe in these lies and further maligning the great Musharraf.
Whether Mushy has heart condition or not has no relevance to whether he should be held accountable for his alleged crimes. It's one of those Elephant in the Room thing that some can't seem to see.
@fawad: Yes, it does, it is a big hoax perpetuated on the nation of Pakistan by the Army and the some security agencies, they think Pakistanis are dumb people and can not fathom their dirty tricks. First they planted explosives all over and gave a bad name internationaly to the other security agencies who are working deligently around the clock in Islamabad. The fact is that the elite whether in Army or civilian think that they are above the law and could get away with it. It is beneath their dignity to appear before the court no matter how much crime they have committed, and this man was the Army Chief in Pakistan, no wonder these Generals has given such a bad name to our brave soldiers who has given sacrifices on the drop of a hat for this nation of Pakistan but I can't say about this so called Commando. His actions borders on being a Coward.
@Kaleem: Do you know who is Ramzi Yousaf.. If not then let me tell you. He was the perpetretor of 1993 World trade Center bombing.. he was arrrested in 1995 in Pakistan and was handed over to US by then sitting PM of two third majority Mr Nawaz Sharif .. Then there was no War on Terror however MR NS handed him over.. OK do you know that in 1992 Mr NS has arrested about 230 Arab Fighters from Hayatabad and handed over to US(at that time they were Mujhideen for all),, and I can narrate many more examples.. SO befor accusing poor guy Musharaf of handing over terrorists to US and claiming Head Money ,, You should also know the others as well..
Lal Masjid wala were terrorist and deserved the same fate.. Mr Bugti had taken arms against the state and was killed in encounter.. Facts are facts,,,
Dr.Hasnat Khan of Lady Diana fame?
"Musharraf has been kept in AFIC since Thursday when he suffered cardiac arrest" cardiac arrest? Get your terminology straight ET. Arrest is a serious thing and results in death. Having a heart attack or angina attack is totally different. Please keep these small things in mind before writing.
It is interesting to see these NDCs (National Defence College), (Defence) Observers etc lamenting out at ET for a realistic journalistic reporting. Nobody showed up for Musharraf, his party lost miserably, he will be remembered as a usurper idiot commando and nothing more. He faked lion when in uniform and started having heart-attacks before the court like a rat. People exactly know the constituencies and the reasons for their irritation. Its in common national interest to let events take their natural course, let courts convict Musharaf and let democracy settle in this country. All adventurous generals should get a clear message on what can happen to them if they follow Mush's route.
@AAK Fully agreed with you that ET has a biased negative attitude towards Musharraf. Anything against Nawaz Sharif is not acceptable to ET at all.
Everyone is so concerned about this guy and his 96 years old mother. Whoever died in Lal masjid, Balochistan and were sold for $5000 were also humans and they had parents as well. If you have kind heart, Think for whole humanity rather than your favorites. Those 86 kids who were bombarded and destroyed in few mins were also humans.
Why can't Musharrafs brother look after his mother. And by the way is he not a cardiology doctor too?
Express Tribune Keep on doing Bias Media Policy, You guys are worse than Jang and Geo Group. How long you will stop the voices in favour of Musharraf. We have lot of other outlets ,you guys are simply loosing your credibility.
@fawad: Begum Musharraf is looking after her 96 yr old mother-in-law in Dubai. That is the reason she has to leave for Dubai.
@Fawad: She went to take care and look upon her mother in law who is an aged lady living in Dubai! General Musharraf's mother was concerned for her son and Begum Musharraf went to check on her!
@fawad: Did you not follow the full story? She went to see his ailing mother who is in Dubai and her flight was already booked. She also returned back quickly. Why there is an element of surprise for you?
Musharaf had a cardiac arrest and begum Musharaf leaves for Dubai. Does it make any sense?
Creating drama to run away rather than face the music for his actions. What a coward this person is. Utterly shameful. Couldn't stand one day in court without crying for help. Compare him to BB, who braved inhuman conditions while in detention at the toughest jails in the 1980s for no crimes under Zia ul Haq. Regards, Rehan
After this news our Media anchor Persons have any Ground to Stand? Shameful Media, Maligning the Army and Musharraf ,now All these Media anchor Persons should be openly trialled for What non-sense they did uttered during last 4 days. All of them should be Whipped by showing their clips to Public and then one by one Army should lashed on their hips. 1.Sethi 2,Absar 3Ansar 4.Hamid Mir 5. Talat 6. Asma and lot others who make human illness as joke.