Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that action will be taken if the 20-point agreement regarding safety precautions and mosques’ SOPs between the government and ulema are not implemented by people in Ramazan.
The prime minister was updating masses on the latest situation regarding the coronavirus with his ministers and advisors. PM Imran said that Pakistan was an “independent nation” hence it could not force worshippers to not pray in mosques.
“The war for coronavirus is being fought by the entire country. It [coronavirus] will not differentiate between the rich and the poor. It can happen to anyone,” he said. “If we deploy police outside mosques and throw worshippers in prisons, independent nations do not behave like this,” he added.
PM Imran said that Pakistani ulema signed a 20-point agreement with President Alvi that contained SOPs and conditions based on which mosques will be allowed to remain open in Ramazan. He, however, urged people to pray at home.
“I would urge my Pakistanis to stay at home and pray,” he said. “Other Muslim countries have urged their citizens to do the same. But if you have to go to mosques, keep this in mind. You will have to obey these conditions,” he added.
The prime minister said that if people did not follow the safety precautions and coronavirus cases surged among people who pray in mosques during Ramazan, then the government will have no choice but to “take back its decision”.
PM Imran said that the government will close mosques if the SOPs are not implemented in letter and spiirt, adding that the same was mentioned in the agreement. “No one wants to see mosques empty,” he said.
