HYDERABAD: Critically ill Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim is being shifted to Karachi from Dubai and is likely to arrive at the Jinnah International Airport via an air ambulance tonight, people close to him said.

Fahim, diagnosed with cancer, has been in a critical condition for some time. He had undergone lump surgery in Berlin, Germany.

He was to be taken to Boston, United States, but doctors dropped the plan after his condition did not permit. He remained under post-surgery treatment in London until recently.

One of his close friends described his overall condition “not encouraging” but his younger brother, Dr Makhdoom Rafik Zaman, said “he is well”.

Fahim, who is in his late 70s, is senior vice chairman of the PPP and member of the National Assembly from Hala (NA-218). He is the spiritual head of the Sarwari Jamat that is said to have millions of disciples across the world.

His election to the NA was challenged before an election tribunal by Pakistan Muslim League (Functional) candidate, Abdul Razak Memon.

The tribunal eventually dismissed Memon’s petition, upholding Fahim’s victory and dismissing the applicant's charges.

A close family member, who described Fahim's condition as frail, said he had undergone four cycles of chemotherapy in London and was brought to Duabi on the insistence of a close friend of his from Dubai’s royal family.

Fahim will now be flown to Karachi on a special plane. He is likely to be hospitalised in Karachi for treatment.

It is unclear whether Fahim will be flown back abroad for further treatment.