Sindh Governor Imran Ismail becomes latest politician to test positive for coronavirus

Published April 28, 2020
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday. — Photo courtesy: Imran Ismail Twitter/File
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday. — Photo courtesy: Imran Ismail Twitter/File

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, he announced on Twitter late on Monday.

"I have just been tested Covid-19 positive, ... Inshallah will fight it out," he tweeted.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan had taught his workers to fight the most difficult situations in life. "I believe this is nothing against what we are prepared for," he wrote.

The governor was tested for the virus on Sunday and his results came out positive today, he told ARY News in an interview.

Earlier this month, while Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasised the need for a stricter lockdown in the province to prevent a surge in coronavirus cases, Governor Ismail had suggested favouring a relaxation in the restrictions after the three-week lockdown period was to end on April 14. The restrictions were subsequently extended for two weeks.

“We are not against the lockdown and we have supported it, but in the prevailing circumstances any extension in such types of restrictions seems not possible,” the governor, who belongs to the ruling PTI, had told reporters in Karachi.

He is the latest among several lawmakers or persons with political connections to have tested positive for the disease.

Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal MPA Abdul Rasheed, who is a member of the Sindh Assembly, had last week tested positive.

Sindh education minister Saeed Ghani, who himself went into isolation after being infected with the virus last month and subsequently recovered, wished Ismail an early recovery.

Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab too wished him well, saying the governor was in his prayers.

Earlier in April, a brother-in-law of Chief Minister Shah had died after testing positive for the coronavirus at a Karachi hospital.

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...