Zardari's disabilities

Mr Khalilzad was to meet Mr Zardari secretly in Dubai next Tuesday. What transpired between the two during their frequent telephonic conversations? The hottest issues during last month were those of the impeachment of the president, restoration of the judges, the Fata military operations and the future of PPP and PML-N relations. It would be highly detrimental to national interest if Mr Zardari sought the American official's "advice and help" on these crucial issues. Will it be in consonance with national interest to elect a man so much dependent on foreign "advice and help" to the office of the president?

The story in Financial Times regarding Mr Zardari's serious mental illness is no less disturbing. It tells of medical reports filed by his doctors in a London court stating that Mr Zardari was diagnosed with dementia, major depressive disorder and post traumatic stress disorder over a period of two years. Court documents filed by his doctors indicate Mr Zardari had these ailments as recently as last year. Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan says his doctors had "declared him medically fit to run for political office and free from any symptoms."

There are people who think that Mr Zardari had in fact no mental problems and a false report was filed to seek relief from the court. If so, Mr Zardari is liable to be criticised for misstating the facts, something that should disqualify him from seeking the office of the president.

In case the report is genuine, the case becomes all the more serious. Mental disorders of the type cited in the report can recur, and one year's time is too small a period to determine if they have been finally overcome. With Mr Zardari in the presidency, the country will not be in safe hands.

E-mail: azizuddin@nation.com.pk