ISLAMABAD, June 5: Asif Ali Zardari, husband of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, was recovering from a heart attack and his condition stabilised after an angioplasty in a hospital in Dubai, the People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) said in a statement issued here on Sunday.

Doctors would keep Mr Zardari, a former federal minister, in the intensive care unit for one more day, the statement said, adding that he was expected to remain in hospital for a few days.

The statement said visitors were barred from seeing Mr Zardari as doctors had advised him complete rest for a few weeks and to avoid stressful situations.

The family was earlier planning to take Mr Zardari to London for the angioplasty. However, since he was in a critical condition, doctors advised immediate operation. It is expected that as soon as Mr Zardari is allowed to travel, he will be going to London for a follow-up of the angioplasty. The PPP said Ms Bhutto had thanked all those who telephoned as well as sent flowers with their prayers for recovery of Mr Zardari.

The father and sisters of Mr Zardari are expected to leave for Dubai soon to be with him. Ms Bhutto was with Mr Zardari during the operation and later in the ICU. Mr Zardari was taken to the Iranian Hospital late on the night of June 2 when he suffered acute pain, which was related to his spondolytis problem.

On June 4 he suffered a heart attack and was shifted to the private Welcare Hospital. Doctors there treated him.