Maryam Nawaz tests positive for Covid-19 again
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz is addressing a rally in Multan. SCREENGRAB
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz announced on Saturday that she had tested positive for Covid-19.
The PML-N leader had been canvassing for Punjab by-polls, scheduled to be held tomorrow (Sunday), addressing various public gatherings in the country's political heartland throughout the week.
At her last election rally, held a day earlier, the PML-N leader had asked the PTI workers to join her party’s ranks for the betterment and prosperity of the country.
“Let this country prosper and move ahead... I am sending a message of love to PTI’s youth to support the PML-N and this country,” she said.
Maryam asked her political rivals to let the incumbent ruling coalition work for the betterment of the country till the next election. “Vote for any one of your choices but don’t waste your vote by casting a ballot for the PTI,” she added.
Read Maryam woos PTI workers for ‘betterment of country’
On July 11, the leader marked the commencement of her campaign in Sahiwal, followed by Jhang the next day as the province prepared for by-elections.
PM wishes early recovery
Hearing the news of the PML-N leader testing positive, also Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's niece, the premier said he was "sad to hear that Maryam Baiti & Capt. Safdar have been diagnosed with Covid".
The PM wished Maryam and her husband an early recovery, commending her for the way she led the PML-N's political campaign.
Covid on the rise
Pakistan is witnessing another wave of the coronavirus currently. The National Health Institute (NIH) revealed today that at least 10 people succumbed to the virus in Pakistan in 24 hours.
A total of 737 new cases emerged against a total of 22,451 tests conducted in the last day, bringing the Covid positivity ratio to 3.28%.
Among the death reported, nine occurred in Sindh and one in Punjab.
Earlier this week, the NIH had raised an alarm as the country’s positivity rate was recorded above five per cent, with the highest number of cases reported from Karachi.
According to the government's Covid statistics, Pakistan has recorded a total of 1,544,910 cases, with 30,428 deaths since the pandemic started in 2020.