Power minister tells NA he has Covid symptoms

ISLAMABAD: Questions related to the power division were deferred in the National Assembly during the question hour when Minister for Power Awais Khan Leghari, who was present in the house wearing a mask, informed the assembly that he had symptoms of COVID-19, though he had not been tested for it.

During the question hour, when it was his turn to respond to the questions concerning the power division, Awais Khan Leghari said that despite feeling COVID-19 symptoms, he had not taken a test and came to the house to respond.

“It was too late for me to ask anyone else to respond, so I came despite feeling COVID-19 symptoms,” he said. Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah, who was chairing the session, responded that he could leave if the minister felt unwell, and the questions would be deferred. In a lighter moment, Leghari humorously mentioned that there were suggestions he should hug the opposition leader. As Leghari was leaving the assembly, he extended his hand to PTI leader Omer Ayub for a handshake but withdrew it at the last moment. Ayub opened his arms with a wide smile, indicating his willingness to hug the minister.