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The expertise of renowned British-Pakistani heart and lung surgeon Dr Hasnat Ahmed Khan, famed for dating late British Princess Diana, is being sought for former Pakistani military dictator Pervez Musharraf, sources here reveal.
According to a source in the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), the seven-member medical board treating Musharraf, who was hospitalised last week shortly before was due to stand for a treason trial, has asked Dr Khan to give his opinion over the former military ruler’s health problems.
Musharraf has been kept in AFIC since Thursday when he suffered cardiac arrest on the way to the hearing of the treason case against him. The source said that board member and chief executive officer of the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology Gen (retd) Azhar Kayani is consulting
Dr Khan over whether the former president should be moved abroad for treatment.
Considered among the best cardiac surgeons in the world, Dr Khan played a key role in moving Malala Yousafzai from AFIC to England after she was shot by the Taliban last year. He is said to enjoy good ties with various hospitals in the UK. Dr Khan serves as the head of the surgery department at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology.
Despite repeated attempts, Dr Kayani could not be contacted for comment. When contacted Musharraf’s lawyer Ahmed Raza Kasuri confirmed that consultations with various national and international doctors were under way.
A source said Musharraf was doing considerably better over the weekend and made phone calls to close friends and associates. The former president also underwent further tests, the source added.
Visitors and activists from the All Pakistan Muslim League were not allowed to see Musharraf except for his wife and son. Dozens of activists and supporters of Musharraf’s All Pakistan Muslim League remained outside AFIC, chanting slogans in favour of their leader and praying for his quick recovery.
“We are here to express solidarity with our leader although we are not allowed to meet him, we are still satisfied,” said Syeda Firdous, political co-ordinator of the APML.
Security remained tight inside and outside of AFIC. Troops have been deployed inside the hospital building while the Rangers, the Elite Force and Rawalpindi Police are performing security duties outside the premises.