Story highlights
NEW: President Asif Ali Zardari arrives in Karachi
Security has increased around the presidential family home, two police officials say
Zardari left December 6 for medical treatment in Dubai
Pakistan’s president returned to the country early Monday after having undergone medical treatment in Dubai, an official told CNN.
President Asif Ali Zardari, who flew with his daughter and doctor, landed at an air force base in the southern port city of Karachi, said Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan.
Sindh is the province where Karachi is located.
The president’s sudden departure from Pakistan on December 6 sparked rumors in the country of his possible resignation and a soft coup.
Earlier, the president’s spokesman, Farhatullah Babar, declined to say when Zardari would return.
Security increased Sunday in Karachi in the area surrounding the presidential family home, two police officials said.
Officials had said previously that Zardari was having a “regular checkup,” and spokeswoman Farahnaz Ispahani said he was undergoing routine tests related to a previously diagnosed heart condition.
Word soon came that Zardari was treated in an intensive care unit.
Zardari was discharged from a Dubai hospital Wednesday, a week after he was released from the ICU, said spokesman Babar.
He was being discharged “to rest at home as advised and to continue on his regular heart medication,” Babar added.
CNN’s Aliza Kassim and Shaan Khan contributed to this report.
