Dr Asim Hussain, former federal minister and President Asif Ali Zardari's most trusted friend, has been diagnosed with stage-4 cancer, but his condition is stable and his health is improving, with treatment ongoing mainly in Pakistan and partly in London. Speaking last week, Dr Hussain met with President Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Austria. He flew to London with President Zardari and is currently staying with him.

Reflecting on his diagnosis, Dr Hussain said he was satisfied with the medical care he was receiving in Pakistan and was being treated with branded medicines. "Everything is available in Pakistan - the medicines, the tests, and even tests that may perhaps not be available in London," he noted. He stressed the urgent need for early cancer detection in the country, describing the disease as a major and growing public health threat.

Turning away from politics, Dr Hussain stated that he wants to focus entirely on serving patients and the public. "I want to serve sick people and serve the public. Politics is not my cup of tea," he said, declining to comment on recent political developments. Although he is closely following political affairs, he remains hopeful for improvement, adding that people often face difficult periods in life before eventually overcoming them.

Dr Hussain's friendship with President Zardari spans decades, dating back to their student days at Cadet College Petaro. Their bond endured through the various phases of Zardari's political career, both in and out of government, cementing Dr Hussain's status as one of his most trusted personal and political associates.