Zardari ‘stable’, US optimistic

As rumours gripped the country about the political fate of President Asif Ali Zardari on the second consecutive day, presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar said on Thursday that the president had been moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to his room, as the Telegraph reported that the president had suffered a minor heart attack.
“According to his personal physician, President Zardari was moved a short while ago from the ICU to the normal hospital room, where he is resting to recuperate,” said Babar.
A health bulletin issued by the physician said: “The president is stable, comfortable and is resting. Initial tests and investigations have been within normal range while further tests will be carried out.” Meanwhile, a Reuters report said Zardari was being administered antibiotics to treat a fever. Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said President Zardari would be back among the people of the country soon. Asked whether the president would address the joint session of parliament, the minister said Zardari would do so after the finalisation of recommendations by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security. Asked why the government did not come up with a clear stance on the president’s health, the minister said there was a forum for queries on any issue. “The Information Ministry deals with matters about the president and the prime minister. The presidential spokesman is the right person for queries about the president. Contradictions and chaos are triggered when irrelevant ministers are contacted as everyone wants to add something, which results in contradictions and rumours,” she added.
NO REASON TO SPECULATE: Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday the United States had no reason to speculate about President Zardari’s medical condition and expected him to be able to return to work in full health. Clinton was responding to reporters when asked about the possibility that Zardari might not just be in Dubai for health reasons, but in the process of being pushed out for political reasons. “We have no reason to speculate about that,” she told a news conference.
GILANI: Separately, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani telephoned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif to thank him on his own and on behalf of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for his kind words and prayers for the swift recovery of President Zardari. Gilani also told the federal cabinet that President Zardari was in stable condition and he had spoken to him on Wednesday night. He said that the president was reluctant to go to Dubai for medical treatment but he was persuaded after consultations.