Pakistan’s president, defense minister test positive for COVID-19

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) - Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi and Defense Minister Pervez Khattak tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.

“I have tested positive for COVID-19. May Allah have mercy on all Covid affectees,” said Alvi on Twitter.

Alvi was administered the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on March 15. “But antibodies start developing after 2nd dose that was due in a week,” according to Alvi.

“Please continue to be careful,” he advised the people of his country.

The country’s defense minister has also contracted the virus, said Imran Ismail, the governor of southern Sindh province.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Imran Khan also tested positive for the virus and isolated himself.

Amid a nationwide vaccination campaign, Pakistan on Monday re-imposed a complete ban on gatherings across the country, including the capital Islamabad, to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 659,116, including 14,256 fatalities.