Ex-PM Gilani tests positive for COVID-19

LAHORE: Former Prime Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Yousaf Raza Gilani is the latest high-profile victim of the coronavirus.

His son Kasim Gilani made the announcement on social media site Twitter, stating that his father’s test results have come out as positive and prayers are needed. He is currently in isolation at his residence.

The younger Gilani blamed the incumbent prime minister and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for placing his father’s life at risk.

“Thank you Imran Khan’s govt and National Accountability Bureau! You have successfully put my father’s life in danger. His COVID-19 result came postive,” he said.

Thank you Imran Khan’s govt and National Accountibilty Burearu! You have successfully put my father’s life in danger. His COVID-19 result came postive. pic.twitter.com/VxiEXFOkZA

— Kasim Gilani (@KasimGillani) June 13, 2020

On June 10, the senior PPP leader has appeared in an accountability court in Rawalpindi after being summoned in the Toshakhana reference case. Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari were also summoned but did not appear.

Yousaf Raza Gilani had filed an exemption plea stating that he is unable to appear in the court again due to coronavirus outbreak.

There have been a growing number of politicians testing positive for COVID-19 in recent days. Former National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, Ahsan Iqbal, and PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb have all tested positive for coronavirus in the past week.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA in Sindh Assembly Khurram Sher Zaman has tested positive for the virus, as well as Minister of State for Narcotics Shehryar Afridi have tested positive. Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Mushtaq Ghani was the latest victim of the coronavirus.