President Asif Ali Zardari, who suddenly left Pakistan for Dubai, had suffered a mild stroke that caused bleeding in brain and facial paralysis, a media report said on Friday.
Zardari abruptly left Pakistan for Dubai on Tuesday, triggering speculation about his health. There were also rumours of a coup, which the US scotched on Thursday. The president suffered a mild stroke, causing internal bleeding in the brain and facial paralysis, the News International quoted sources as saying. Sources added that though medical test reports were clear and he was out of danger as the stroke and internal bleeding were not life threatening, the President would need treatment, including speech therapy, to resume his normal life.
One source said Zardari had collapsed in the presidency on Tuesday due to the stroke and may be taken to London for further treatment. There have been conflicting reports about Zardari's health, with one even saying that army doctors had examined the President and found him to be fit. Zardari is high blood pressure patient and takes blood thinners.
The media report said that it was unclear how many more days the president would have to remain hospitalised. In a bid to douse rumours of a military coup, Zardari's office said his health is improving and he is resting at the Dubai hospital. The President House issued a statement on Thursday that said he is in a stable condition. Quoting the physician attending on Zardari in Dubai, the statement 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," the brief statement said.
"The President is recuperating," Associated Press of Pakistan quoted President’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar as saying. According to the personal physician, Zardari was shifted from ICU to a hospital room on Thursday evening, Babar said.