ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned "mischievous" attempts to edit the Wikipedia page of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, declaring him "dead" a day after testing positive for the COVID-19.

"We strongly condemn attempts by mischievous elements to hack Wikipedia page of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and & spread rumours on social media about his health & well-being," Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said.

She further stated, "By grace of Almighty Allah, FM is recovering fast. Everyone's prayers, from Pakistan & abroad, are deeply appreciated."

In a video message, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also denounced the attempts of changing his profile page on the Wikipedia and spreading of fake news about his death.

"My profile on Wikipedia has been changed by some mischievous elements due to which unnecessary complications were crated. It caused distress to my family, friends and well wishers who telephoned me to inquire about my wellbeing," Qureshi said.

He further stated, "There is not truth behind the reports. By the grace of Allah Almighty, I am fine."

Earlier, an attempt was made, and the profile of Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on the Wikipedia was changed in which he was shown as having "died" on July 4th, 2020.

As per the investigation and summary of the Internet Protocol (IP) details of the profile the hackers, someone from Mumbai, India with IP address: 103.147.175.217, had hacked the profile of the foreign minister, before it was restored.

According to the history of Qureshi's profile on the Wikipedia page, the editing was made on July 5, 2020, two days after he was tested positive for COVID-19 on July 3, upon feeling a slight fever, who has now quarantined himself at his home.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020