Zardari returns to Pakistan

December 19, 2011 02:28 am | Updated November 17, 2021 12:02 am IST - Karachi

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in a file photo

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in a file photo

President Asif Ali Zardari, who was treated for a heart condition in Dubai, returned to Pakistan on Sunday night.

The 56-year-old President returned to the port city on a special flight amidst heavy security, putting an end to rumours about his health and the future of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party government.

His return to the country comes just one day after a significant meeting between Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani and Army chief, Pervez Ashfaq Kiyani.

Mr. Zardari’s abrupt departure for Dubai on December 6 to seek treatment for a heart condition triggered speculation that he might be facing pressure from the powerful military to resign following the emergence of a secret memo sent to the U.S. military.

The memo had sought U.S. help to prevent a coup in Pakistan in the wake of the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May.

The government dismissed reports that Mr Zardari had suffered a stroke and that he would step down.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.