–Religious scholars say PM Imran’s stance ‘a realistic approach’ and ‘according to ground realities’
–Govt announces to observe Youm-e-Tauba and Youm-e-Rehmat across the country on Friday
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top religious scholars on Monday voiced their support for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s lockdown strategy during the coronavirus outbreak as the premier ordered the release of clerics and worshippers who were arrested across the country for violating the lockdown put in place to contain the pandemic.
The development comes days after the federal government granted conditional permission to hold congregational prayers during the holy month of Ramzan.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), a delegation of religious scholars called on the prime minister at his office and assured “full support” regarding the implementation of the precautionary measures during congregational prayers.
The delegation included Maulana Hanif Jalandhari, Tahir Ashrafi, Hamidul Haq Haqqani and Mufti Muhammad Gulzar Naeemi among others.
During the meeting, the religious scholars said that PM Imran’s stance regarding the lockdown was “a realistic approach” and “according to ground realities”, the statement said.
The meeting had Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Noorul Haq Qadri, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan and Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz in attendance, while Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) Chairman Mufti Muneebur Rehman and Mufti Taqi Usmani attended the meeting via video-link.
Earlier, PM Imran urged the people to show self-discipline and to stay at home in order to help the government defeat the pandemic. “The more people show self-discipline, the easier it will be for us to manage the COVID-19 plus ease the lockdown gradually,” the prime minister said in a tweet. “My message for people is to stay home as much as possible during this pandemic,” he added.
He also shared a video clip where doctors and consultants of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) advised the public to stay home to contain the spread of COVID-19.
PM DIRECTS TO RELEASE CLERICS HELD FOR VIOLATING GOVT ORDERS:
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Dr Firdous announced that the premier has given clear instructions for the release of all clerics and worshippers who were arrested for violating the lockdown.
According to her, the premier had already asked authorities to treat clerics and worshippers softly.
She said that mosques will remain open throughout the country and precautionary measures would be adopted during congregational prayers to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Qadri, who was also present on the occasion, said that the prime minister has expressed hope that both clerics and citizens will follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) set for the holy month of Ramzan, adding that the government hopes for full cooperation on the matter.
The minister said that the prime minister assured the religious scholars that the government will give a relief package to the publishers of Holy Quran so that they can continue their work during the holy month of Ramzan. He said that the premier also assured them that mosques, Imambargahs and seminaries would also be given a relief package as well.
He also said that the coming Friday would be observed as Youm-e-Tauba and Youm-e-Rehmat across the country to seek forgiveness and mercy from Allah.
Dr Firdous said that the prime minister also instructed the state broadcaster to begin a televised programme for seminary students so that they do not miss out on their education during the lockdown.
She said that on the demand of religious scholars, the premier directed the Finance Ministry to prepare a framework for interest-free loans to seminaries.
She also said that the PM Imran also asked his economic advisers to seriously look into Mufti Taqi Usmani and Mufti Muneebur Rehman’s suggestion of having an interest-free economy.
She further said that citizens should follow laws on their own as Pakistan is a free country, noting that the governments have to force laws upon citizens in countries that are not liberated.
