Asif had serious mental illnesses: FT

LONDON - PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has suffered from depression and dementia in recent years, it has been revealed. Medical reports filed by his doctors show that Mr Zardari, was diagnosed with dementia, major depressive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder over a period of two years, reports The Financial Times. The news about Mr Zardari’s mental health comes as former prime minister Nawaz Sharif pulled his PML-N party, the country’s second biggest, out of the governing coalition that last week ousted president Pervez Musharraf. Asif Ali Zardari, was suffering from severe psychiatric problems as recently as last year, according to court documents filed by his doctors.

Mr Zardari has spent 11 of the past 20 years in prisons fighting corruption allegations, during which he claims to have been tortured. While Mr Zardari was not available to comment, Wajid Shamsul Hasan, Pakistan’s high commissioner to London, speaking on his behalf, said he was now fit and well.