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Zardari discharged from hospital: Report
President Asif Ali Zardari was discharged from a Dubai hospital and sent home to recuperate, according to a report.
Zardari was discharged from the American Hospital, where
he was admitted on December 6, and was expected to recuperate
at his private villa in Dubai, Geo News channel reported.
A sizeable number of PPP workers and a large police
contingent were present at the hotel.
There was no official word on Zardari`s discharge or when
he was expected to return to Pakistan.
Earlier in the day, presidential spokesman Farhatullah
Babar had said Zardari was expected to be discharged from
hospital tomorrow though he will have to continue to rest at
home.
Babar quoted a health bulletin from American Hospital as
saying that the results of all investigations conducted on
Zardari were "within normal range".
The bulletin said the President had been advised to rest
at home and to continue his "regular heart medications".
Religious Affairs Minister Khursheed Shah had said
yesterday that the President would return to Pakistan in time
for events to be held on December 27 to mark the death
anniversary of his late wife, former premier Benazir Bhutto.
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 stroke and that he would step down.
A close presidential aide said today that the
President will need several weeks to be fit and resume his
duties.
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.
The latest health bulletin, dated December 13 and issued
by physician Khaldoun Taha, gave the most detailed account yet
of the health problems affecting Zardari at the time of his
admission to American Hospital last week.
"Asif Ali Zardari has been admitted to the American
Hospital Dubai on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, with a chief
complaint of left arm numbness and twitching with a transient
episode of loss of consciousness that lasted for a few
seconds, which was witnessed," the bulletin said.
"Upon arrival to the hospital`s Emergency Room, he was
fully awake and conscious with stable vital signs," the
bulletin said.
In view of Zardari`s history of heart disease, the
hospital conducted cardiac and neurologic investigations,
including "MRI of the brain, lumbar puncture, 2-D
echocardiogram, carotid Doppler and complete blood test".
"All investigations were within normal range and
(Zardari) was kept for observation for a few more days and is
planned to be discharged on December 15, 2011 to rest at home
as advised and to continue on his regular heart medications,"
the bulletin said.
PTI