LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr Tahirul Qadri may return to Canada for medical treatment soon in view of his deteriorating health. He felt cardiac problem amid high blood pressure and fever prior to his address to party workers in Bhakkar the other day.

Local doctors in Bhakkar, where he is camped these days to attend the PAT sit-in in Dullewala town (Bhakkar), have advised him to take long rest.

Party leaders say that doctors in Canada had also advised the PAT chief to take rest and avoid travel abroad. “I believe that Qadri Sahib will not go back to Canada till the conclusion of party’s scheduled rallies and sit-in in different cities, including Karachi, next month. But if his health did not improve, he may return for his medical treatment,” PAT’s secretary (information) told Dawn. He said as per earlier schedule he would go back to Canada after Dec 25.

He said on Tuesday the doctors thoroughly examined Dr Qadri by checking his blood pressure and conducting his ECG test at the residence of a party office-bearer in Bhakar. “His ECG test is normal but the BP is high. He is also feeling fever. So doctors requested him to take maximum rest,” Faiz said.

Talking about the PAT’s protest schedule, he said the party would organize a public meeting in Sargodha on Dec 5, followed by another rally in Sialkot on Dec 14, Mansehra on 21st and Karachi on 25th.

To a question, he said the PAT wouldn’t join the PTI rally in Islamabad on Nov 30. However, its leadership would consider sending a delegation there if the PTI leadership formally sent invitation to the PAT, he said.

Published in Dawn, November 25th , 2014