President Zardari's health checkup sparks rumours

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari was undergoing what his office said on Wednesday were routine medical tests in a Dubai hospital, but which fuelled rumours of his possible resignation.

Presidency said a news web report, which kicked off much of the speculation, was untrue. Financial markets were unaffected by the rumours.

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

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

Twitter and other social media were awash with contradictory information. In one span of 20 minutes, micro-bloggers had placed Zardari in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.

Some speculated the president would travel to the Britain, or return to Pakistan by the end of the week. Others suggested the president had suffered a "minor heart attack" and may resign.

Rumours also circulated on Twitter of an army takeover on Tuesday night, but that was quickly recanted by the original poster.

"Some elements blew this up to create unrest in the country," said Fauzia Wahab, a senior member of Zardari's Pakistan People's Party. "His visit to Dubai and having medical check up is perfectly normal."

Copyright Reuters, 2011