Musharraf suffering from amyloidosis, has difficulty standing and walking: APML leader

Published October 24, 2018
A File photo of Former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf.
A File photo of Former president retired Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Former president retired General Pervez Musharraf is said to be suffering from a rare disease amyloidosis, DawnNewsTV reported on Wednesday, citing All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Overseas President Afzaal Siddiqui.

Last month, former APML chairperson Dr Muhammad Amjad had revealed that Musharraf was "growing weaker rapidly" due to an unspecified illness and cannot return to Pakistan to face the treason case against him.

The APML leader had then refused to provide details about Musharraf’s new ailment, saying the party would soon submit medical documents to Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.

However, Siddiqui disclosed Musharraf's illness on Wednesday, saying the former general's condition has "weakened his nervous system", and that he is currently being treated in London.

"Due to amyloidosis, broken protein starts getting deposited in various organs," he explained. "[As a result] Pervez Musharraf has difficulty in standing and walking."

The APML said that amyloidosis can lead to "arteries of heart and brain to choke up, which could prove to be life-threatening".

Siddiqui said that doctors have "managed to stop the production of broken protein" in Musharraf's system and "are now trying to cleanse his body".

He further said that Musharraf's treatment could continue up to five or six months, adding that the former president has "appealed to the nation to pray for him".

Upon his full recovery, Siddiqui said, Musharraf intends to return to Pakistan.

On March 31, 2014, Musharraf was indicted for suspending the Constitution on November 3, 2007. He, however, left the country in March 2016, for Dubai to "seek medical treatment" and hasn't returned since.

Opinion

Editorial

Iran stalemate
Updated 02 May, 2026

Iran stalemate

THE US and Iran are currently somewhere between war and peace. While a tenuous ceasefire — extended largely due to...
Tax shortfall
02 May, 2026

Tax shortfall

THE Rs684bn shortfall in tax collection during the first 10 months of the fiscal year is a continuation of a...
Teaching inclusion
02 May, 2026

Teaching inclusion

DISCRIMINATORY and exclusionary content in Punjab’s textbooks has been flagged in Inclusive Education for a United...
Water vision
01 May, 2026

Water vision

WATER insecurity in Pakistan has been building up for decades as per capita water availability has declined from...
Vaccine policy
01 May, 2026

Vaccine policy

PAKISTAN has finally approved its first National Vaccine Policy; a step the health ministry has rightly described as...
Labour rights
Updated 01 May, 2026

Labour rights

THE annual observance of May Day should move beyond statements about the state’s commitment to the rights of...