Two Parliamentarians Test Positive For Covid-19; Further Results Awaited

Two Parliamentarians Test Positive For Covid-19; Further Results Awaited
ISLAMABAD: Two members of the lower house of Parliament, Syed Mahmood Shah and Gul Zafar Khan, have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus on Sunday. According to sources, the National Institute of Health has tested more than 150 MNAs and senators on May 8.

The test was made mandatory for the members of both houses of parliament – so as to be able to attend the session of the National Assembly and the Senate slated for May 11 and May 12 respectively.

A source stated that the parliament secretariat has not receive the complete result yet, but the initial report revealed that two MNAs and an employee of the parliament tested positive. Syed Mahmood Shah, 55, is elected from Balochistan on a Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) ticket while Gulzafar Khan, 40, is a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA from Bajaur.

An officer of the Parliament House, namely Zafar Yab Khan, 47, also tested positive for Covid-19, sources confirmed.

The Senate session has been convened by Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani on a requisition submitted by the opposition a day after the government announced summoning the National Assembly session on May 11.

The opposition members were seeking discussion on the situation related to the Coronavirus and its impact on the country’s economy.

No individual will be allowed to accompany the senators to the Parliament House, while only one person will be allowed to accompany ministers and state ministers.

Only one officer of grade-20 or above from the relevant ministry or division will be required to ensure presence in the galleries.

All individuals entering the Parliament House will also go through thermal gun screening.