Shehbaz tests COVID-19 positive for third time
Prime minister had landed back in Pakistan on Monday ater a brief but busy trip to London, but had taken the day ‘slow’ due to feeling unwell
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Tuesday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who returned from a five-day stay in the United Kingdom a day earlier, had tested positive for Covid-19.
In a tweet, the minister said the premier was feeling unwell for the past two days and took a Covid-19 test on Tuesday as per the doctor’s advice.
She appealed to the nation and to PML-N workers to pray for Shehbaz’s speedy recovery.
This is the third time the prime minister has tested positive for the virus.
He had previously contracted Covid-19 earlier this year in January and in June 2020.
Shehbaz had landed back in Pakistan on Monday ater a brief but busy trip to London, but had taken the day ‘slow’ due to feeling unwell.
A source close to the PM said he was not well, as a result of which he spent a ‘slow’ Monday.
The premier had fallen ill in London, which was why he had extended his private visit by two days, he added.
The premier had reached London last week after attending the COP27 summit in Sharm
El Sheikh in Egypt.
During his five-day stay in the British capital, the premier held a slew of meetings with his self-exiled former prime minister brother, Nawaz Sharif, wherein according to media reports, they discussed the next army chief’s appointment among other critical issues.
Politicians and journalists were quick to wish the premier a speedy recovery.
In a statement, President Arif Alvi wished Shehbaz a quick recovery and expressed his well wishes. Former president Asif Ali Zardari said also wished the premier a speedy recovery from Covid-19.
In a statement, he expressed the hope that PM Shehbaz would recovery soon and continue to serve the nation.
“Get well soon,” said journalist Hamid Mir. PML-N’S Hina Parvez But also prayed for Shehbaz’s health.
National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani also prayed for the prime minister’s health and speedy recovery.
The prime minister will soon convene a meeting of his allies in the government to take them into confidence on the series of meetings he held in London with Nawaz Sharif on key issues such as the appointment of a new army chief and Pakistan Tehreek-i-insaf’s (PTI) long march on Islamabad.
Regarding the PM’S meeting with his coalition partners, the source said he would talk to his allies “soon” on key issues discussed during his London stay.
As per media reports, Nawaz and Shehbaz had decided that the issue of appointment of the army chief was a constitutional mater and would be dealt with constitutionally and on merit.
This was PM Sharif’s third visit to London since he assumed the top office in April.
It comes in the wake of incumbent army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extended tenure ending on Nov.29 and amid speculation whether the general would be given another extension to his service or a new chief appointed.
The military spokesman and the army chief himself have on multiple occasions stated Gen Bajwa would retire at the end of this month.
On the other hand, PTI Chairman Imran Khan had derided the PM for discussing the allimportant appointment with his elder brother in an alleged violation of the Official Secrets Act and a breach of a premier’s oath.
Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal had earlier said the PM would soon ater his return take his coalition partners into confidence on the decisions taken in London.
When contacted, Faisal Karim Kundi, spokesperson for the PPP — the main ally in the PMLN-LED government, told Dawn his party and two other coalition partners, the Mutahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party, had so far not been invited to any meeting with the prime minister.
“We know that the PM has returned to the country, but he has not invited us for a meeting as yet,” he said, adding PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhuto-zardari has also reached Karachi from his foreign visit and was available for a meeting of the top leadership of the allied parties.