ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday said Multan will "not be ignored in administrative arrangement of South Punjab" and the government will facilitate the people of South Punjab at their doorstep.

"There will be a functional secretariat in Multan with ACS (additional chief secretaries) attending office 3 days a week," Qureshi said in a tweet on Sunday. "PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) has made tangible progress in its manifesto commitments and will facilitate people of South Punjab at their doorstep," the tweet added.

Earlier on Friday, the foreign minister said he was tested positive for COVID-19 and quarantined himself at home. "This afternoon I felt a slight fever and immediately quarantined myself at home. I have now tested positive for COVID-19. By the grace of Allah, I feel strong and energetic. I will continue to carry on my duties from home. Please keep me in your prayers," he tweeted then.

Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, foreign ministers of different countries and politicians have inquired after the health of the foreign minister, a press release said on Sunday.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Deputy Chairman Saleem Mandviwala, former army chief General (r) Raheel Sharif, President Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Leader of the Opposition National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and others phoned the foreign minister to inquire after his health, the press release added.

The foreign ministers of different countries also contacted Foreign Minister Qureshi through phone calls and social media to pray for his health, it added. Those included foreign ministers of Turkey, Iran, Denmark, Maldives and Afghanistan, the statement said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020