Tariq Saeed
Peshawar
With the deadly Corona virus ringing alarm bells all over the globe, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Friday announced to close down all the public and private educational institutions including colleges and universities across the province for 15 days to combat the spread of deadly pandemic.
The decision to this effect was taken in an emergency meeting of the KP cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan here. The ongoing or upcoming exams have also been postponed till further orders
KP Health Minister Taimur Saleem Jhagra while briefing the media said that the provincial cabinet has decided to ban all public gatherings across the province. Consequently, the administration has banned any kind of public gatherings of more than 50 people and the orders also apply on the wedding halls etc.
The cabinet also ordered the evacuation of students from hostels by Friday while it has decided to postpone official events across the province. In addition, festivals and prison visits have also been banned.
The cabinet meeting also decided to raise the issue of closure of the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan with the federal government.
However, the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mehmood Khan has said the situation was under control and advised the masses not to worry but adopt precautionary measures to minimize the risk of coronavirus.
The current tally of those diagnosed with the mysterious and dangerous virus has climbed to 21 in Pakistan while 2 patients have made full recoveries and have been given clean bills of health.
The Gilgit-Baltistan government on Friday decided to close all education institutions till 31 March due to threats of Corona virus spread. As a precautionary and preventive measure all public and private schools, universities, campuses and all tuition centers will be closed till 31 March in Gilgit Baltistan.
In this regard a notification has been issued by the Home department G B today. The notification says that all scheduled examinations under FBISE Islamabad has been postponed and the new schedule for examinations will be announced later .
The health department officials have advised people to adopt precautionary measures and avoid unnecessary visiting hospitals, shaking hands with flu patients, wearing masks and limited public gatherings.
Youm-e-Dua was observed in Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur and other districts of northern Sindh on Friday for eradication of coronavirus from the country.
Special prayers were offered in small and major mosques, grounds and public places in the different areas in Sukkur besides, all district and tehsil headquarters, small and major towns and villages of Northern Sindh.
