Hamza Shehbaz tests positive for Covid-19 in jail

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb demands he be shifted to hospital immediately

LAHORE:

Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Saturday evening in Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader was feeling unwell in jail for a few days before he was tested for Covid-19.

After his test returned positive, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb demanded his immediate transfer to the hospital for treatment. The spokesperson said Hamza was suffering from high fever since day one.

"In view of his deteriorating health, he should be shifted from Kot Lakhpat Jail to the hospital immediately," she said.

In addition, the spokesperson said all legal obligations for the leader's treatment must be fulfilled. She urged the nation to pray for his health.

On Sunday morning, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter to express his anger and concern, saying that after fighting the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases in Musharraf's era, Hamza is now facing the political revenge of the NAB-Niazi alliance with utmost courage and steadfastness. He urged the nation to pray for Hamza's speedy recovery.

میرے بیٹے حمزہ کو جیل میں کورونا ہوگیا ہے۔ مشرف دور میں نیب مقدمات کا ڈٹ کر مقابلہ کرنے کے بعد وہ اب نیب نیازی گٹھ جوڑ کے سیاسی انتقام کا انتہائی جراتمندی و ثابت قدمی سے سامنا کر رہا ہے۔ میری آپ سب سے درخواست ہے کہ حمزہ کی جلد صحتیابی کے لئے خصوصی دعا فرمائیں۔ جزاک اللہ خیر۔

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 13, 2020

Moreover, PML-N Deputy Secretary General Attaullah Tarar also confirmed that Hamza Shehbaz tested positive for Covid-19 and demanded that he be shifted to a hospital, adding that medical facilities should be provided immediately.

Hamza Shehbaz sb has tested positive for COVID. Must be shifted to a medical facility from Kot Lakhpat prison as soon as possible.

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) September 12, 2020

Earlier, on August 6, an accountability court in Lahore indicted Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz in the Ramzan Sugar Mills (RSM) case. The hearing was presided over by Judge Amjad Nazir Chaudhry.