Former Pakistan minister, Sharif’s close ally Muqam tests positive for coronavirus

Former federal minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Amir Muqam, on Sunday said he had contracted the COVID-19 virus.

"I have quarantined myself at my home," Muqam, the president for the PML-N's KP chapter, said on Twitter. "I request the nation to take care," he added, requesting people to pray for his recovery.

Amir Muqam with Shahbaz Sharif during a meeting in Lahore.

Earlier, his personal secretary had confirmed the news as well, adding that Muqam was in self-quarantine at his Islamabad residence.

Responding to the news that his party member had contracted the deadly virus, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif said he was "saddened."

"Amir Muqam is an active member of the party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," Shahbaz said on Twitter.

The PML-N president paid tribute to Muqam's services to the party and prayed for his speedy recovery.

Earlier this month, PTI lawmaker in Punjab Assembly MPA Shaheen Raza had succumbed to the coronavirus at Mayo Hospital Lahore. The facility's CEO, Dr Asad Aslam, had said she was admitted three days ago.

Several politicians, including Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari, Sindh Education Minister Saeed Ghani, and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had tested positive for the virus.

All had self-quarantined themselves and recovered later.