Shehbaz Sharif tests negative for Covid-19

PML-N president told to get anti-body tests done in three weeks, follow precautionary measures till then

LAHORE:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif tested negative for Covid-19, party's spokesperson confirmed on Sunday.

In a statement, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurganzeb said with "the grace of God Almighty and prayers of the nation, Shehbaz Sharif's coronavirus test has come out negative".

However, she added that the doctors have instructed Sharif to get his anti-bodies test done in three weeks, and follow strict precautionary measures till the test results are out.

Sharif had tested positive for the novel coronavirus on June 11, after which he had quarantined himself at his home. He was among several top leaders of the PML-N who had tested positive for the virus, including former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Marriyum Aurangzeb herself.

The PML-N had created much uproar after the opposition leader contracted the virus. Party stalwart Attaullah Tarar - who had himself recovered from the virus a week before Sharif tested positive - requested prayers from the nation for Shehbaz's speedy recovery.

Tarar had claimed that Shehbaz Sharif had not met anyone except for his appearance before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on June 9.

He lamented that the PML-N president had informed the anti-graft watchdog several times in writing of his ill health and compromised immune system. Tarar said that, "NAB and Imran Niazi will be responsible if anything happens to Shehbaz Sharif".

He added that NAB was urged to correspond through video link but the bureau insisted on summoning Shehbaz in person.