COVID-19: Pakistani lawmaker Shaheen Raza dies from coronavirus in Lahore
Raza, who was member of the Punjab Assembly, belongs to Imran Khan’s political party
Dubai: A Pakistani lawmaker Shaheen Raza has died from coronavirus at the Mayo Hospital in Lahore.
Raza who was member of the Punjab Assembly, (MPA), is the first parliamentarian who has died of COVID-19 in Pakistan. She belongs to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Raza was shifted to the isolation ward of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, on Monday and was put on a ventilator after her condition deteriorated. She was earlier quarantined at a district health hospital after showing symptoms of coronavirus.
The legislator had been inspecting quarantine centres regularly to ensure guidelines set by the government. Doctors said that the 60-year-old MPA also suffered from diabetes and blood pressure issues, reported Dawn.
Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed deep grief and sorrow on her demise. In a statement, the premier conveyed his condolences over Raza’s death to her family, Radio Pakistan reported.
While expressing sadness over the MPA’s death, President Arif Alvi prayed for her soul and for family to be granted the strength to bear the loss.
Information Minister Shibli Faraz also expressed condolences over her death. In a Twitter post, the minister said that Raza’s services for the party were “unforgettable”. She was elected to the Punjab Assembly on a special seat in 2018.
A number of Pakistanis including the National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and the Sindh Governor Ismail had contracted coronavirus but they have recovered.