Zardari may be discharged from Dubai hospital tomorrow: Aide

Islamabad, Dec 14: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to be discharged from a hospital in Dubai on Thursday, Dec 15 with improvment in his health condition, Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said today but did not give any time-frame for his return to Islamabad.

Zardari would be allowed to leave the hospital and the doctors treating him have advised him to rest at home, Babar was quoted as saying by TV news channels. Babar said the results of all tests conducted on Zardari had been normal.

However, the spokesman did not give any date for Zardari's return to Pakistan. Zardari's abrupt departure for Dubai on December 6 to seek treatment for what officials said was a previously diagnosed cardiovascular condition sparked speculation that he could be on the verge of resigning due to growing pressure on him from the powerful military.

PPP leaders have denied reports that Zardari had suffered a minor stroke and that he would step down. A close presidential aide told PTI today that the President will need several weeks to be fit and resume his duties.

Dismissing reports about the President suffering a stroke or facial paralysis, the aide said Zardari had a mild heart attack and it would take weeks for him to recover. The aide acknowledged that "immense pressure" on the President could be the reason for his condition. "Being a heart patient, the President was facing too much pressure. And eventually the pressure took its toll," the aide said.

PTI