ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has recovered from Covid-19 and formally started official work.

This was announced by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Senator Faisal Javed Khan on his Twitter account on Tuesday. The prime minister and first lady Bushra Bibi had tested positive for the virus on March 20.

“Alhamdulillah, Prime Minister Imran Khan has fully recovered. He has resumed work gradually & started building up his work routine as per doctors’ instructions keeping in view national & intl guidelines. May ALLAH grant health to all. Ameen. Take care of urself & others #StaySafe,” Senator Javed tweeted.

Though it was not officially informed if Prime Minister Khan underwent Covid-19 test after recovery, new guidelines of the World Health Organisation suggest that a patient is not required to undergo a test after completion of the quarantine period.

Initially, the quarantine period was of 14 days, but it was later reduced to nine days provided that patient has no symptoms of coronavirus.

Last week a picture of the prime minister chairing a meeting of his media team triggered criticism on social media.

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), a representative body of health professionals, had advised Prime Minister Khan to suspend all social activities to avoid health-related complications and spread of the virus. PMA general secretary Dr Qaiser Sajjad had said that a patient suffering from Covid-19 should remain in quarantine for at least nine days.

“We know that Prime Minister Imran Khan is very keen about the country and his professional obligations, but it will also affect his health as virus becomes strong in case of active lifestyle during infection. The PM should take complete rest to avoid health-related complications,” he had said.

On Sunday, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan had said Imran Khan had made “steady clinical recovery” from Covid-19 and that he had been advised that he could resume work and build up his work routine over the next few days.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2021