FACT CHECK: Ailing man in viral video is not President Zardari

A viral video showing Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah inquiring the health of a frail man in a hospital, which social media users claim is President Asif Ali Zardari.

The claim is FALSE. The ailing man in video is not the president but a PPP worker who passed away several years ago.

An old Tweet by Sindh Minister Nasir Shah dated 26 March 2020 confirms that the picture is of PPP worker Qazi Hafeez-ur-Rehman, who was a member of PPP federal council.

The tweet was made to dismiss rumours about the president’s health.  In the tweet, Nasir Shah, while sharing a snapshot for the video, said, ”This picture is of Qazi Hafeez-ur-Rehman sb. He was a member of PPP Federal Council, who passed away a couple of years. Please avoid misinformation on social media.”

The tweet can be viewed here: https://x.com/SyedNasirHShah/status/1242891128745189381

The video was been widely shared on social media platforms to show that president was in a poor health. The video also led to baseless rumours of the president’s death.

For the unversed, President Zardari is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Karachi. Zardari tested positive for coronavirus and was put in isolation and has since been receiving treatment.

The president was brought over from Nawabshah where he had offered Eidul Fitr prayers. His personal physician, Dr Asim Hussain, had confirmed that Zardari tested positive for Covid-19.