Updated on
Summary President Zardari suddenly left for Dubai on Tuesday evening.
The surprise, unannounced visit created quite a stir in the political circles.There were earlier news that the President underwent some tests at the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, but the report was denied by Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar.Later, the APP, official news agency of the state, said that the President left for Dubai to visit his children and also to undergo some medical tests.The President was due to address a joint session of parliament to settle the dust raised by the Nato strike on Pakistani soldiers and shocking disclosures made by memo-gate central player Mansoor Ijaz, the man who accused former envoy Hussain Haqqani of asking him to write the memo to Mike Mullen in the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid.Ijaz also later claimed that Haqqani and President Zardari were aware of the Abbottabad raid. His account has been officially rejected by the US administration.The PML-N had threatened during the day that the party would protest during the President address to the joint session of parliament.The APP said the President was accompanied by his physicians and limited personal staff.According to the President’s personal physician Col Salman, the proposed medical tests are of routine nature and are linked to a previously diagnosed cardiovascular condition.Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar had said that the President did not visit any hospital in Pakistan on Tuesday for tests or treatment.He said instead the President held separate meetings on Tuesday in Presidency with the Prime Minister, Chairman Senate and Interior Minister to review overall situation, security arrangements for Ashura and legislative business in Senate before leaving for Dubai.The President was seen off by some Members of Parliament and personal staff and his aircraft has already taken off, Farhatullah Babar said.The President’s visit comes at a very crucial juncture as the country’s ties with the United States are not that cozy since the Nato strike on Pakistani soldiers.The Supreme Court has put Hussain Haqqani’s name on the Exit Control List, pending hearing of the memo case in the apex court.It was not stated by the Presidential Spokesman neither the official APP when would the President possibly return.
