Pakistani PM tests positive for coronavirus for third time

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivers a speech at the leaders summit of the COP27 climate conference at the Sharm el-Sheikh International Convention Centre, in Egypt's Red Sea resort city of the same name, on November 8, 2022. (Photo courtesy: AFP)

• Shehbaz Sharif had been unwell for two days, information minister says
• The former premier recently returned from London, COP27 in Egypt

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tested positive for the coronavirus, the country’s information minister said on Tuesday, urging the nation to pray for the premier’s speedy recovery.

This is the third time the Pakistan prime minister has been infected with the virus. He last tested positive in June 2020 and January this year.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has become corona-positive. He was unwell for two days,” Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Twitter.

“The coronavirus test was conducted today on the doctor’s advice,” she said, requesting the nation and party supporters to pray for his early recovery.

 

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) November 15, 2022

Sharif recently returned from London where he was visiting his brother and former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif.

Prior to that, the prime minister attended the UNI Climate Conference, COP27, meeting in Egypt, where he interacted with world leaders and made Pakistan’s case for “climate justice.