Shafqat Mahmood got COVID-19 and students have quite a few thoughts about that development
Still raging viciously against the normal way of life, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has upended all functionality of our society as we knew it. The education sector of Pakistan is one of the most prominently affected, with students and teachers having to adapt to the ‘new normal’ of online teaching while the authorities went back and forth, trying to come up with a better plan for all the students out there. A new development has got many tongues wagging, yet again.
Earlier today, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Education,Shafqat Mahmood announced that he had tested positive for COVID-19
I have tested positive for coronavirus. I feel fine with mild symptoms. InshAllah will get well soon.
— Shafqat Mahmood (@Shafqat_Mahmood) May 25, 2021
This comes just a day after Shafqat Mahmood announced the final dates for examinations across the country, after a controversial series of decisions that have proven to be wildly unpopular among the people
It was decided yesterday, in the inter-provincial Education Ministers Conference that the students would sit for the exams after June 20 and no student would be promoted without a physical exam, as was the case last year at the peak of the first wave of the pandemic.
The Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference has decided that the examinations in educational institutes would start after 20th of next monthhttps://t.co/pMaUXzyxmf
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) May 24, 2021
Following Shafqat Mahmood announcing his COVID-19 diagnosis, many people have been wishing him a speedy recovery
Right after Shafqat Mahmood announced facing mild symptoms and testing positive for COVID-19 people took it social media to send well wishes and prayers for his speedy recovery
https://twitter.com/MUHAMMA11503327/status/1397094696627982340
Get well soon @Shafqat_Mahmood . May Allah recover you soon. Shafqat Mehmood pic.twitter.com/yMaHSAkNSO
— Uzair Ayub (@uzair_ayub0) May 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/Saadi_4923/status/1397089174839300096
However, some people were quick to call it karma and couldn’t stop wondering about Mr. Mahmood forcing students to gather together for exams despite them constantly warning him about the ongoing pandemic
Students did not shy away from calling this whole situation a karmic doing and resorted to making jokes and memes.
Well karma is a real thing remember this if u are going to torture someone then u will be tortured by the azaab of allah this is true agar ham kuch nahi karsakte ap ko to ye yaad rakho allah batai ga apko phir donnot ever forget this before torturing someone#Shafqatmehmood
— Dangerous bacha (@Jibi91623301) May 25, 2021
Sir ab hamara lihaz karlein karma hogya hai app ke saath exams cancel karein hoping for a quick recovery
— Musab (@litmusab) May 25, 2021
May Allah bless you with good Health. Ameen! @Shafqat_Mahmood
KARMA DO ITS WORK!
Yeah! You know what I mean 🙂#Shafqatmehmood#CANCEL12THBOARDEXAM2021 https://t.co/4k4sr0SQyC— Abubakar (@Abubkrch_) May 25, 2021
Some students took it as a golden opportunity and requested for the exams to be cancelled, now that the Minister knows the pandemic is still raging
While the students have been demanding the cancellation of exams for quite some time now, this new development of Shafqat Mahmood’s positive COVID-19 result served as additional fuel to the fire.
Get well soon Inshaa Allah and understand us that if u can get Corona while staying at home. Thn wht about students. Plz cancel exams nd promote us.we dont wanna fail in exams ,we r not prepared even,we,ve paid fees nd clgs r also closed. #CancelAllBoardExams#Shafqatmehmood
— Afaq Ahmed (@AfaqAhm51452508) May 25, 2021
https://twitter.com/dik_marwat/status/1397109823897022464
#Shafqatmehmood May you have a speedy recovery & may you get well soon. so now you must revise the decision of exams so the students can be saved. they dont have as safe environment as you have they are in very more danger.. Must have a look #CancelAllBoardExams
— Abdullah Ajmal (@AbTarius) May 25, 2021
Others even raised concerns about the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine that Mr. Mahmood was seen being administered, earlier
Mr. Mahmood had announced that he got his COVID-19 vaccine about two months ago.
https://twitter.com/umarawaisi8012/status/1397108780542926848
Shafqat mehmood tested positive after Vaccination ! Are vaccines made of water only ? #Shafqatmehmood pic.twitter.com/o47t1n1XBc
— A B U B A K E R 🇵🇰 (@BakerSedd) May 25, 2021
Some students also had a few cents to share on the whole situation being “baddua” from students to Shafqat sahab
Shafqat Mehmood tested positive for covid-19.
Le students@Shafqat_Mahmood janii badua lag rahi bachoo ki😂😂#Shafqatmehmood pic.twitter.com/DvLokat04x— Mehar (@Mehar82774995) May 25, 2021
I didn't knew my baddua was this strong 🕵️ I'll use it from now on 👍🏻 get well soon tho
— mar (@PR0DUGHTAN) May 25, 2021
Get well soon sir, and for all those saying that "shafwat mehmood ko baddua lagi hai bachoo ki" toh guys he gave us 1.5 year off from schools. Instead of coming on Twitter If you would study then you can pass with good grades. Stop accusing shafqat mehmood. #Shafqatmehmood
— D_fatima (@GirlAunna) May 25, 2021
Well, while the please of students fall on deaf and dheet ears of the old age authorities, it is high time that students also take stock of the fact that it seems highly unlikely that exams would be cancelled now. At this point, One can only hope for the best and ensure proper precautions to stay safe because the authorities couldn’t appear to be more lax.
We, here at MangoBaaz, are wishing Shafqat Mahmood a quick recovery.
Cover image: @Fatima_527 via Twitter / dawn.com
