STAFF REPORTER
ISLAMABAD Following a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) on Covid-19, members of the federal government — including Asad Umar, Zafar Mirza, Firdous Ashiq Awan and Noorul Haq Qadri — along with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chief shared updates on key decisions taken during Thursday’s huddle. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri provided an update regarding offering prayers at mosques. He said that the NCC had decided that mosques will not be closed. Qadri said that mosques will have azaan (call to prayers) and tilawat. With regards to offering congregational prayers at mosques, Qadri said that this will be “limited”. He said that mosque imams, staff, regular attendees in limited numbers — those who are healthy and not older than 50 years of age — will be able to offer prayers in the mosque in limited numbers. Among the decisions taken in meeting, Umar announced that the closures of educational institutions across the country would be extended till May 31. He said that Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood had said that this decision was taken in agreement with all provinces. With regards to the transportation system, Umar said that during a meeting of the NCC that is set to take place tomorrow, difficulties faced by transporters will be discussed and reviewed. Umar shared a team would work on data analytics so that decisions can be taken on the basis of “data […] and the onground situation not on the basis of emotions”. Additionally, he said that another team is working daily on ensuring the implementation of an economic package announced earlier. The federal minister assured that there is no shortage of atta, while responding to reports of a shortage in parts of the country. He said that in order to deal with immediate shortages, provinces with stocks were requested to speed up the pace of releases. Umar added that Prime Minister Imran Khan will announce two more “big initiatives” in the coming days, adding that the details of these programmes will be finalised in the next few days. Umar said that representatives of all provinces as well as federal government officials will now work at the National Command Centre in NDMA in order to ensure that all people working on the coronavirus are in one place and can share data, exchange questions. The federal minister added that Prime Minister Imran had told him to mention that some people were hoarding and taking advantage of the current situation. He said that this is not just a crime in the country but in God’s eyes as well. Umar urged citizens to report such incidents. Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza provided updates with regards to the current Covid-19 cases in the country as well as decisions taken regarding personal protection equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers. Mirza said that after looking at supplies, by April 5, the country would have enough PPE supplies so that doctors, nurses, paramedics handling coronavirus patients won’t face a shortage. He said that large supplies are in process and by April 5, the situation will improve. Additionally, Mirza announced that an expert on infectious diseases Dr Faisal Sultan has been included in the government’s team as the focal point for coronavirus with regards to the health aspect. On the national level, a training programme for doctors, nurses and paramedics will also be launched. The premier’s special assistant said that there are four main steps regarding social distancing: don’t go out unnecessarily, you should have a very important reason to go out, if you need to step out maintain a two metres distance, don’t shake hands or hug people, and wash your hands with soap or use sanitiser. NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal provided updates on medical supplies in the country. He said that currently the number of intensive care unit beds in Pakistan stands at 19,670. Meanwhile, the Sindh government on Thursday announced that citizens will not be allowed to offer congregational prayers including Friday prayers in mosques. The decision came only hours after the federal government said that mosques would remain open and congregational prayers would be offered in “limited numbers”. Spokesperson for the Sindh government Barrister Murtaza Wahab announced the provincial government’s decision on Twitter and added that the decision was taken after consultations with ulema and medical experts. As per the Sindh government spokesperson, five people including mosque staff will be permitted to offer congregational prayers. The decision will be in effect from March 27 (today) till April 5. He requested citizens to follow the decision.
