Staff Reporter
Peshawar
Secretary Auqaf, Hajj, Religious and Minority Affairs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Farrukh Saer Wednesday presided over a meeting of Khateebs, Ulemas and District and Tehsil clerics and urged them to convince masses affected with flu to offer prayers at homes. He appealed the Ulema and Khateebs to sensitize general public about precautionary measures to prevent corona virus and hold special prayers at home. The Ulemas and Khateebs assured to cooperate with the government and offered to present religious seminary as quarantine centre for affected people.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakthunkhwa Mahmood Khan here Wednesday said that KP Government was well-aware of the threats of Coronavirus and steps-wise decisions were being taken to control spread of the pandemic and ensure safety people. Addressing a press-conference along with Advisor for Information and Public Relations Ajmal Khan Wazir and Health Minister Taimour Salim Khan Jhagra here, the Chief Minister said corona virus was a pandemic and joint efforts were needed to tackle it.
When asked about closure of private clinics and hospitals, the Chief Minister said Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for private clinics and hospitals were being prepared to formulate a comprehensive strategy in this regard. The Chief Minister underlined the need for an accurate and responsible reporting of electronic, print and social media in the current difficult situation arisen after spread of coronavirus, adding this fight could only be won through collective efforts by adopting all precautionary safety measures.
He urged media persons to contact advisor for information and public relations, Ajmal Khan Wazir who was declared a focal person of KP Government to inform general public about his government relief measures and corona cases situation. The Chief Minister said he was personally leading anti corona measures to provide speedy relief to affected people.
In the light of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s decision, the district administration here Wednesday ordered closure of all hotels, restaurants, public places and tourists’ resorts across the district. A notification issued here said that only medical stores and general stores would remain open round the clock to meet the demand while rest of the shops and markets would remain open from 10 am till 7 pm.
Similarly, all government meetings with more than five officials would be banned and banks have been directed to install hand sanitizer on ATMs kiosks for facilitation of masses. The Deputy Commissioner Saqib Raza directed all Assistant Commissioner to ensure implementation of government decisions in letter and spirit to protect lives and health of masses. He said all available resources would be utilized for facilitation of general public and no lethargy would be tolerated in this regard.
