Below the belt

THE Financial Times report about the state of PPP Co-Chiarman Asif Ali Zardari's mental health leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The paper has quoted the affidavit produced by psychiatrist in court, saying that he was suffering from 'emotional instability' and post-traumatic stress disorder. While it might sound a good news item soaked up in high sensation, it is nevertheless clear enough that by presenting the story in this manner especially at a time when Mr Zardari was busy in his struggle for the presidency courting favour, the whole affair has been blown out of all proportion. The daily also commented that Mr Zardari had used his medical reports to his benefit successfully persuading the courts to defer a defunct case filed by the government of Pakistan over corruption charges. This bombardment of criticism so to speak has been refuted by Pakistan's High Commissioner to London who said that Mr Zardari was fit and well and that it was only natural for any human serving a long prison term to experience emotions like fear or anxiety.