Business leader Irfan Iqbal Sheikh is not critically ill, H.R. Qadri clarified, rejecting viral claims and saying Sheikh remains under treatment while staying away from current business affairs.
WEBDESK – ABDULLAH FARHAD – SHARJAH NEWS
Viral claims circulate on social media
A clarification has emerged regarding reports circulating on social media about prominent Pakistani businessman Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, with H.R. Qadri rejecting claims that Sheikh is in critical condition in hospital.
According to the statement shown in the circulated clarification, Sheikh is reportedly safe and continuing his treatment. The statement also says that Sheikh has been dealing with a health-related issue and is currently keeping away from ongoing business activities.
The clarification comes after photographs and video footage of Sheikh were reportedly shared on social media, leading some users to suggest that the businessman was seriously ill and hospitalized in critical condition.
H.R. Qadri says old footage was misinterpreted
In the clarification, H.R. Qadri said that some people had taken a photograph and video from his social-media material and reposted them in a way that created a misleading impression about Sheikh’s current condition.
He specifically explained that the video he had previously shared was file footage, meaning it was not necessarily recorded during Sheikh’s current health situation.
The statement further rejected the suggestion that Sheikh was currently in a critical condition, describing the circulating claim as incorrect and allegedly motivated by bad intentions.
However, it is important to note that this particular clarification has not been independently corroborated by major Pakistani news organizations in the sources available for verification. For that reason, claims about Sheikh’s exact medical condition should not be presented as independently confirmed.
Who is Irfan Iqbal Sheikh?
Irfan Iqbal Sheikh is a well-known figure in Pakistan’s business community. Business Recorder identifies him as chairman of the Zubaida Group of Companies, which includes Al-Fatah, Zubaida Agriculture and Dairy Farms and API Ventures. The publication reported that he expanded his family’s retail operation from a single flagship outlet into a large retail network across Pakistan.
Sheikh has also held important positions in Pakistan’s organized business sector. He served as President of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and later became President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI). The FPCCI’s official documentation lists him as an ex-officio/immediate past president for the 2024–26 executive committee.
During his tenure at FPCCI, Sheikh regularly commented on Pakistan’s economic policies, exports, taxation, energy costs and trade relations. The Associated Press of Pakistan previously reported his calls for Pakistan to explore new international markets and diversify its exports.
Current business activity reportedly reduced
The clarification circulating online also says Sheikh is currently away from ongoing commercial matters and wishes to remain distant from them while focusing on his treatment.
That point is particularly relevant because Sheikh has historically maintained a highly visible role in Pakistan’s business community. His public positions have included discussions on trade policy, investment, taxation and economic growth.
The statement therefore appears intended not only to address the health rumours but also to explain why Sheikh may currently have a reduced public presence in business-related activities.
What is confirmed?
At this stage, the safest conclusion is that viral reports claiming Irfan Iqbal Sheikh is in critical condition should not be treated as confirmed news.
The available clarification says Sheikh is safe and continuing treatment, while also stating that previously circulated footage was old/file footage. Independent searches found reliable documentation confirming Sheikh’s identity and business background, but no authoritative medical statement or major-news report independently confirming the specific current health details.
For publication, your website should therefore attribute the health clarification directly to H.R. Qadri’s statement rather than presenting the medical claims as independently verified facts.
