PTI MPA Shaheen Raza succumbs to coronavirus

First Pakistani lawmaker to succumb to the disease

GUJRANWALA: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Shaheen Raza passed away on Wednesday after succumbing to the novel coronavirus.

Raza had reportedly presented symptoms of the deadly virus a few days ago. She was being treated by private doctors before being shifted to the District Headquarter Hospital, and then eventually to Mayo Hospital, Lahore where she succumbed to the disease.

According to Gujranwala Deputy Commissioner Sohail Ashraf, who confirmed the MPA's death, the legislator's health had deteriorated over the weekend and she had been on the ventilator.

Mayo Hospital administration informed that Raza had been admitted to the hospital's isolation ward three days ago in critical condition. The MPA was a diabetes patient and suffered from blood pressure related ailments.

The body of the deceased was handed over to the family by the hospital administration on Wednesday.

Prior to presenting symptoms and subsequent treatment, Raza had reportedly been inspecting various quarantine centres.

Raza was the only PTI member from Gujranwala district in the Punjab Assembly.

Other lawmakers including Pakistan Peoples Party MPA in Sindh Assembly Saeed Ghani, and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser of the PTI have contracted the virus but this is the country's first recorded death of a legislature due to Covid-19.

The prime minister extended his condolences to the aggrieved family, as did President Arif Alvi and Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz, among others.

"May her soul rest in peace and may Allah grant the family the strength to bear this loss," said Alvi in a tweet.

I would like to condole the death of Punjab MPA Ms Shaheen Raza Cheema.
إنا لله وإنا إليه راجعون
May her soul rest in peace and may Allah grant the family the strength to bear this loss.

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) May 20, 2020

Faraz also took to Twitter to express condolences and thanked the lawmaker for her services to the party.

رکن پنجاب اسمبلی شاہین رضا کے انتقال پر گہرا دکھ اور افسوس ہے۔شاہین رضا کی پارٹی کیلئے خدمات ناقابل فراموش ہیں۔اللہ تعالیٰ مرحومہ کو اپنے جوار رحمت میں جگہ عطا فرمائے اور لواحقین کو صبر جمیل دے۔ آمین

— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) May 20, 2020