Federal minister Shehryar Afridi tests positive for coronavirus

Published May 30, 2020
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi (right) is the latest politician to test positive for coronavirus. — APP
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi (right) is the latest politician to test positive for coronavirus. — APP

Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, he announced on Twitter on Saturday.

"I have tested positive of Covid-19 & have isolated myself at home as per advice by medics," he wrote.

"I need prayers & blessings. May Allah almighty help save all my countrymen from the pandemic under my PM," the federal minister added.

His announcement comes weeks after Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had tested positive for Covid-19.

Both officials have since recovered from the coronavirus.

Sindh education minister Saeed Ghani, who himself went into isolation after being infected with the virus in March and subsequently recovered, tweeted a "get well soon" message to Afridi.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari also wished his colleague well on Twitter, saying that "You’re [Afridi] strong and will recover in no time InshaAllah".

So far 67,704 people across Pakistan have been infected with the virus that has killed more than 1,400 in the country.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...