Sheikh Rashid shifted to Military Hospital Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI: Federal Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has been shifted to the Military Hospital Rawalpindi as he was feeling unwell on Sunday evening.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Sheikh Rashid had been feeling quite unwell since evening and shifted to Military Hospital Rawalpindi.

In his message on Sunday Sheikh said, “I am undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Doctors and nursing staff are treating to the best of their ability.”

He said, “I feel better now than at night, adding that many thanks to those who are praying for my speedy recovery.” The minister urged the people to take the disease seriously.  He also emphasized citizens to follow SOPs and avoid going out of their home without any solid reason.

The Awami Muslim League (AML) leader had tested positive for the novel COVID-19 earlier in the week. However, he said he had been taking necessary protective steps and there was no symptoms of the virus in him. He said he was feeling better himself.

He went into self-isolation at home after he contracted the COVID-19. The minister’s close aide, Syed Asim, who managed his social media presence, died earlier on Saturday.

As the current month began, several top politicians, testing positive for COVID-19. On June 4, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb had tested positive for the COVID-19 along with her mother.

She joined a long list of lawmakers who have tested positive for the virus, including former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

Earlier, Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and PTI MNA Jai Prakash also tested positive for COVID-19. On June 7, PPP MPA Sharjeel Memon had tested positive for COVID-19 and had gone into self-isolation.

Last week, PML-N Punjab Assembly lawmaker Mian Naveed Ali from Pakpattan had tested positive for COVID-19.

Minister of State for Narcotics Shehryar Afridi had also tested positive for the virus. PTI’s chief whip in the National Assembly Aamir Dogar also tested positive for COVID-19.

Previously, many politicians including ANP’s Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Sindh education minister Saeed Ghani, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, and Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari had tested positive for COVID-19, after which they went into self-isolation and recovered.

PTI Punjab Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Shaheen Raza was the first lawmaker in the country to succumb to the virus.