Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said on Saturday that Prime Minister Imran Khan had been infected with the coronavirus prior to getting vaccinated against the pandemic, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Talking to the media in Islamabad, he said the third wave of the virus in Pakistan had come from the UK. “At the same time, however, South African and Brazilian strains of the virus are no less deadly,” he cautioned and informed that’s why the government was going to impose restrictions on the passengers coming from these two countries.
The minister dispelled the impression that the vaccine being administered to the people these days was not effective against the pandemic.
Responding to a question about PM Imran getting revaccinated against the disease, Asad said the decision would be taken once the prime minister recovered.
He said the period of quarantine lasted for around 10 days.
He said the kind of virus the prime minister was infected with was extremely dangerous because it spread from one person to all members of his family.
He disclosed UK variant, which formed 50 percent of the coronavirus presently found in the country, had the tendency to spread in little children at a faster rate.
Ministers, advisers, staff to undergo tests
According to sources, the prime minister will continue to perform his official duty from home and will chair important meetings through video link.
The sources further said the prime minister’s engagements for the next week will be finalized keeping in view his health.
The sources said the staff working at PM’s Banigala residence, PM House, PM’s Secretary Azam Khan, military secretary, KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Communications Minister Murad Saeed, those ministers, advisers, special assistants who met the PM, security staff and all other employees will undergo coronavirus tests.
Owais Kiani contributed to the story.