Gilgit-Baltistan minister Janbaz Khan dies of coronavirus
Gilgit-Baltistan Agriculture Minister Haji Janbaz Khan died of coronavirus at a local hospital in the region’s capital on Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
After being diagnosed with the virus, the minister was under treatment at Gilgit’s City Hospital where he breathed his last.
His maternal grandson in a tweet said that his lungs had been severely infected resulting in double pneumonia and was on a ventilator for the past four days.
My maternal Grand Father Haji Janbaz Khan lost his life today. He had tested positive for Covid19 and his lungs had been severely infected resulting into a double pneumonia and was on ventilater for the past four days. Please pray for his Maghfirat. 😢😭😭 https://t.co/EqcZzV2djU
— @Kohistani (@Kohistaanii) June 18, 2020
Being a well-known politician in Gilgit-Baltistan, the people of the region expressed their feelings on Twitter as soon as the reports of his demise appeared on media.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ
— Muhammad Idrees (@Idreesgb) June 18, 2020
Provincial Minister of pml (N) Haji Janbaz Khan has passed away at City Hospital Gilgit. He was also tested positive for Coronavirus.
He was having a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.@MaryamNSharif pic.twitter.com/HsjVcnLXxJ
Some were critical of the government and the shortage of oxygen at the state-run hospitals amid the rise in the coronavirus cases.
#GilgitBaltistan minister Janbaz Khan died of #COVID19, cases of the pandemic rising in region, acute shortage of medical gases( oxygen) being faced in government hospitals. pic.twitter.com/2fkycQduLW
— Jamil Nagri (@jamilnagri) June 18, 2020
Late Janbaz Khan was elected to the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly from Diamer on a PML-N ticket.
اناللہ واناالہ راجعون
— Usman Akbar (@UsmanAk35982261) June 18, 2020
Provincial Minister Haji Janbaz Khan is no more with us.
His services for the GB especially for the district Diamer will be remembered forever. May Allah bless the departed soul in eternal peace and give the strength to the bereaved family ..Aameen pic.twitter.com/VPhkxDskx1
Although the Gilgit-Baltistan government was initially able to control the virus spread, the number of cases are on the rise in recent days. So far, a total of 1,213 cases and 18 deaths have been reported in the region.