Zubair Qureshi
Senior vice president of the National Press Club (NPC) and a private TV anchor Arshad Waheed Chaudhry lost battle against coronavirus on Saturday.
Chaudhry was recently diagnosed with COVID-19 and since then was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Islamabad.
A couple of days ago, his condition worsened and he was put on a ventilator. His Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayer) was held Saturday night at his residence H. No. 161, Street 9, Block D in Media Town.
President Dr Arif Alvi in a condolence message expressed his sorrow and grief over the death of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry. In a message of condolence to Arshad Waheed Chaudhry’s family, the president said “My condolences on the sad demise of senior journalist, columnist, and anchor Arshad Waheed Chaudhry. May his soul rest in peace and May Allah give strength to the family to bear this loss.”
Daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Maryam Nawaz while reacting to the news of Arshad Waheed Chaudry’s death called it shocking.
“I am extremely sorry to know Chaudhry has passed away and find it hard to believe,” she wrote on social media.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed and Senator Rehman Malik have also expressed their condolences over the sad demise of Arshad Waheed Chaudhry.
Besides, journalist’ associations, colleagues and coworkers in a message termed Arshad Waheed Chaudhry’ death due to coronavirus an irreparable loss and prayed to Almighty to bless the departed soul and grant strength to the family members to bear this loss.
Meanwhile, the federal capital on Saturday reported yet another highest single day count of coronavirus cases, 411 new infections, in the last twenty-four hours sending cold shivers down the spine of the residents as well as the health authorities.
With this latest count the total number of coronavirus cases has jumped to 23,533 and three deaths in the last twenty-four hours has taken the toll to 253.
According to District Health Officer (DHO) Dr Zaeem Zia, the total number of tests run in the last twenty-four hours was 6,267 while the positivity rate rose to 6.2%.
In a social media post, Dr Zaeem Zia wrote, “Covid-19 outbreak gets worse. The number of sealed institutions in Islamabad crosses 100.
Tally of the sealed institutions has now reached 120.” He has appealed to the residents to strictly follow health guidelines and observe coronavirus Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
