E-Paper | October 23, 2026

Federal minister Shehryar Afridi tests positive for coronavirus

Dawn.com Published
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Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi (right) is the latest politician to test positive for coronavirus. — APP
Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi (right) is the latest politician to test positive for coronavirus. — APP
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Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) and Narcotics Control Shehryar Afridi has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, he announced on Twitter on Saturday.

"I have tested positive of Covid-19 & have isolated myself at home as per advice by medics," he wrote.

"I need prayers & blessings. May Allah almighty help save all my countrymen from the pandemic under my PM," the federal minister added.

His announcement comes weeks after Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had tested positive for Covid-19.

Both officials have since recovered from the coronavirus.

Sindh education minister Saeed Ghani, who himself went into isolation after being infected with the virus in March and subsequently recovered, tweeted a "get well soon" message to Afridi.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfi Bukhari also wished his colleague well on Twitter, saying that "You’re [Afridi] strong and will recover in no time InshaAllah".

So far 67,704 people across Pakistan have been infected with the virus that has killed more than 1,400 in the country.

Coronavirus
Pakistan
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John
May 30, 2020 06:01pm
Why and how are they infected? Are the dont following the SOP?
Recommend 0
MG
May 30, 2020 06:03pm
I wish you a speedy recovery from across the border minister.
Recommend 0
Fazul Bhikhari, Bahawalpur
May 30, 2020 06:11pm
Wonder if there is any ‘footage’ available of his contracting covid? We still await the drug bust video/footage.
Recommend 0
Ibrahim S.
May 30, 2020 06:17pm
When would the PTI government wake up to the reality
Recommend 0
M. Saeed
May 30, 2020 06:20pm
Corona is for real. Let us accept it and do all the precautions without any laxity.
Recommend 0
Haq
May 30, 2020 06:21pm
Wish Mr Afridi speedy recovery, admire his work as Frontline task force with tireless endeavors for the people.
Recommend 0
Pakistani
May 30, 2020 06:50pm
IK is planning to open up the economy which would be a disaster for pakistan.
Recommend 0
Pinky Peerni
May 30, 2020 06:54pm
Good. Now the hunter becomes the hunted.
Recommend 0
faisal
May 30, 2020 06:58pm
While he is telling the media about his positive test he is still not wearing mask ? neither other people around him ?
Recommend 0
Venkataraman Iyer
May 30, 2020 07:36pm
Only medical experts can save ..
Recommend 0
Kah461
May 30, 2020 07:40pm
What are the symptoms?
Recommend 0
Sid
May 30, 2020 08:09pm
It would be interesting to know if the recovered PTI members were given any specific treatment or where they let the virus run its course.
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Chrís Dăń
May 30, 2020 08:26pm
Get well soon.
Recommend 0
Alih
May 30, 2020 08:48pm
Ok? Is that a news?
Recommend 0
Student
May 30, 2020 09:44pm
Wish him speedy recovery. however, public doubts the infection of these high profile people.
Recommend 0
Syed A. Mateen
May 30, 2020 09:58pm
Corona is not going to spare any one, irrespective of his or her position.bWhen corona is not sparing doctors, who else can deceive corona and how long? Better to strictly adhere the guidelines of WHO to avoid to get infected with coronavirus.
Recommend 0
Jehengir khan
May 30, 2020 10:09pm
And yet government continues to live in denial ...keep sleeping....
Recommend 0
Ravi Vancouver
May 30, 2020 10:21pm
@Ibrahim S., PTI is stuck in denial mode over Covid-19. PTI leaders think Covid-19 is similar to an ordinary flu, hopefully they are right.
Recommend 0
Aftab
May 30, 2020 11:42pm
He is taking leave
Recommend 0
Dawn
May 31, 2020 12:52am
@John, why and how? Are you serious.
Recommend 0
fahimkhalil
May 31, 2020 12:55am
And still our Government opening up the country. . No SOP follow at Govt neither at public levels. . we are heading towards covid 19 peak with splendid speed. .
Recommend 0
fahimkhalil
May 31, 2020 12:58am
In Peshawar and specially on Warsak Road Peshawar marts are open under concern authorities presence. .. What is SOP, Where is SOP. .
Recommend 0
Najeeb
May 31, 2020 04:40am
Whenever i see him, i remember the sahiwal incident.
Recommend 0
Pakman
May 31, 2020 05:12am
Get well soon Sheryar Afridi Sahib. PTI zindabad Imran Khan Zindabad.
Recommend 0
Multani
May 31, 2020 06:16am
Why was he not keeping distance and wearing mask and not taking universal precautions, setting a bad example of poor leadership for not not doing what you preach.Get well soon.
Recommend 0
Critic
May 31, 2020 06:34am
Telling others and not following rules yourself is called hypocrisy.
Recommend 0
NASH
May 31, 2020 06:45am
Get well soon brother!
Recommend 0
Dawn
May 31, 2020 09:18am
Praying for your quick recovery.
Recommend 0
bimal william
May 31, 2020 10:14am
It was expected. When you listen to religious leaders not the health experts it happens. Without wasting any time the govt must take strong measures to contain the spread of this deadly virus. Govt must include the best doctors n health experts if they are really serious.
Recommend 0
Fazul Bhikhari
May 31, 2020 12:55pm
Wonder if will see any footages of him?
Recommend 0
SHAHID SATTAR
May 31, 2020 01:28pm
Have another test done from a private lab. The results would nullify all your fears and enable you to do whatever you were supposed to be doing for the master without any quarantine period.
Recommend 0
AZAM AKBAR
May 31, 2020 05:08pm
I wish him speedy recovery.
Recommend 0
Musfiq
May 31, 2020 06:31pm
They may have used chinese test kit. He may test negative if Korean kit is used.
Recommend 0
Moeazze
May 31, 2020 06:52pm
Recovery depends on health. He looks healthy and will get over this disease.
Recommend 0

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