KARACHI, Pakistan, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- President Asif Ali Zardari returned to Pakistan Monday after medical treatment in United Arab Emirates that had stirred speculation about his political future.
The Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported the plane carrying the president landed early Monday at an air force base in Karachi, from where he was taken to his residence.
Zardari's trip to Dubai on Dec. 6 was sudden and came at a time when his government is facing a number of problems, including the so-called memogate scandal and worsening relations with the United States. His trip had led to speculation at home he might leave office.
Until his arrival in Karachi, it was not known when he would return from Dubai. The Dawn report said only after his plane had entered Pakistan's airspace was it confirmed he was on his way to Karachi.
The newspaper quoted a close Zardari aide that the president was feeling well and would rest in Karachi for a few days before proceeding to Islamabad.
The memo scandal, which alleged Zardari's government had sought U.S. help to rein in the powerful Pakistani military, surfaced last month and led to the resignation of Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States. Haqqani, as well as the government, had denied an involvement in the scandal.
The exact nature of Zardari's illness is still not known.
Analysts told Dawn while Zardari's return would ease speculation about the president's statu, people would continue to closely watch his movements and relations with the military.
The Express Tribune quoted Zardari spokesman Farahatullah Babar as saying earlier that the president is fine and his doctors had given him permission to travel.
