Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has called upon World Health Organisation (WHO) to play its role in engaging member states to remove Covid-19-related travel restrictions for Pakistan and other developing countries.
Talking to WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom via video conference, he also stressed the need to work towards a data driven system of non-
discriminatory travel rules.
The Prime Minister observed that travel restrictions imposed by developed countries in the wake of Covid-19 can further exacerbate economic difficulties of developing countries struggling to mitigate adverse economic
impact of the pandemic.
He highlighted Pakistan’s strategy of deploying scientific and data driven interventions as well as rapid upgrades of healthcare facilities while attempting to a maintain a balance between life and livelihood that has yielded positive results with a current downward trajectory 
in the spread of pandemic.
While noting progress made by Pakistan in containing the spread of virus, WHO appreciated the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan in fighting the pandemic.
The prime minister appreciated the support extended by WHO to the international community including Pakistan to fight Covid-19.


40 lawmakers, PTI members test positive for virus
To date, 40 lawmakers and members of the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, 
while two have died.
Majority of those infected, since the outbreak of the virus in February, are members of the provincial assemblies (MPAs) associated with the PTI, while 15 members of the National Assembly (MNAs) have been infected by the  
virus.
Some prominent names include National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Minister of State for Narcotics Control Shehryar Khan Afridi, Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Governor Sindh Imran Ismail.
One senator, belonging to the party, has also fallen ill.
The most recent government official to announce contracting the deadly virus is Zafar Mirza, the minister of state for health, and the most senior health official in Pakistan overlooking the coronavirus development.
Two lawmakers belonging to the PTI have also died due to the disease, namely Shaheen Raza and Jamshed Uddin Kakakhel. Both were members of the 
provincial assemblies.
Meanwhile, the infected members of the political party also include Nadeem Afzal Chan and Abrar ul Haq.
Pakistan has a total of 233,646 cases of the virus and has confirmed 4,818 deaths, as of 
yesterday.