Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif tests positive for Covid-19: Report

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif tested positive for Covid-19, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

In a tweet, Aurangzeb said the premier was feeling unwell for the past two days and took a COVID-19 test on Tuesday on the doctor’s advice, which returned positive.

She appealed to the nation and to PML-N workers to pray for Prime Minister Shehbaz’s speedy recovery.

This is the third time the premier has tested positive for the virus, after having previously contracted COVID-19 earlier this year in January and in June 2020.

Shehbaz Sharif had returned recently from London where he was visiting his brother and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Just a day back, PM Shehbaz landed home from Britain after a drawn-out visit, marked by his political consultations with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif. During the visit, PML-N leaders, including Khawaja Asif, had accompanied him, The News International reported.

He was scheduled to reach the country earlier, but his plans were delayed after his health deteriorated. Family sources said he extended his stay in London twice as "his hectic schedule took a toll on his health".

According to sources close to the Sharif family, PM Shehbaz developed a fever before leaving for the airport on Saturday and his family advised him not to travel, so he rescheduled his flight home on Sunday, according to The News International.

Before that, the prime minister attended the COP27 meeting in Egypt, where he interacted with leaders from across the globe and pleaded Pakistan's case for climate justice.

As the news of the prime minister being infected with the virus broke out, well-wishers -- including journalists and politicians, prayed for his recovery, reported The News International.