KARACHI, Dec 9: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said the president is a symbol of unity and it is unethical to spread rumours about his health.

Addressing by phone a function held here on Friday to mark the party’s ‘Youm Shuhada-i-Haq’, he appealed to the media to avoid publishing or broadcasting any unconfirmed reports about President Asif Ali Zardari’s illness, saying it created confusion among people.

He said it was the democratic right of everyone to oppose the politics of President Zardari, but one should also pray for his early recovery.

About the recent Nato strikes in which 24 soldiers were killed, he said the attack had united the nation.

He praised the government and the armed forces for taking bold steps in protest against the unprovoked attack and said the nation was with the army and defence institutions.

Mr Hussain urged the United States and Nato to respect the sovereignty, boundaries and national security of Pakistan and adopt a policy of peaceful coexistence.

He paid tribute to slain MQM leaders, including Azeem Ahmed Tariq and Dr Imran Farooq. He said no other party in the country could prove that it represented the poor and middle-class people like the MQM.