Pakistan: President Asif Ali Zardari 'Suffers Heart Attack' As Resignation Rumours Swirl

Pakistani President 'Suffers Heart Attack' As Resignation Rumours Swirl

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is reported to have suffered a minor heart attack and is undergoing treatment in Dubai.

The 56-year-old leader has been under pressure in recent weeks after a leaked memo revealed that officials allegedly asked for help from the United States to prevent a military coup.

Rumours that the president was about to resign spread across social networks when he was revealed to be in Dubai.

His spokesperson said that he was simply there for medical checks, and denied that he was about to step down.

"President Asif Ali Zardari is in a Dubai hospital for medical tests and checkup as planned," presidential aide Farhatullah Babar told Reuters.

"Reports in some sections of the media speculating on the president's activities and engagements are speculative, imaginary and untrue," he said.

According to Reuters Zardari suffered chest pains and a minor heart attack and went to the American Hospital in Dubai for treatment.

He also had a similar heart attack in 2006, Reuters said, and has been on medication ever since. Officials have not said when Zardari expects to return to Pakistan.

Zadari, leader of the Pakistan People's party, came to power in 2008 after his late wife Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in 2007.

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