Murtaza Wahab tests positive for COVID-19

KARACHI: Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab has tested positive for the COVID-19 on Saturday.

According to Sindh government officials, the provincial Adviser to CM on Law and Environment Murtaza Wahab underwent the test after experiencing virus symptoms.

Wahab’s PRO Sikander Baloch said three days ago, several staff members at his office were tested for coronavirus. The test results of four staff members, including Murtaza Wahab, came back positive today, he added.

Baloch further said that Wahab has quarantined himself at home, adding that none of his family members had been diagnosed with the COVID-19.

The number of COVID-19 cases is increasing rapidly in the country and so far, several lawmakers have been infected with the virus. A few have succumbed to the disease as well.

Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syeda Shehla Raza had become the latest high-profile victim to have tested positive for the coronavirus.

In a Twitter post, the PPP MPA in Sindh Assembly had shared a photo of her test result and requested prayers for her recovery. She added that she had gone into isolation at her residence and is awaiting the results of her family members.

Last week, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and member Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan had tested positive for COVID-19. Hassan was attending the PPP-led multi-party conference at the Chief Minister House when he came to know that he has contracted the virus.

Earlier, former prime minister and senior PPP leader Yousaf Raza Gilani has also tested positive for the coronavirus and was isolating at his residence in Lahore.

 His son Kasim Gilani made the announcement on social media site Twitter, stating that his father’s test results had come out as positive and prayers are needed.

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.

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.

Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Speaker Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Mushtaq Ghani were the latest victims of the coronavirus.

Prominent political leaders who have contracted the virus so far include National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and PPP leader Saeed Ghani, all of whom have recovered after contracting COVID-19.