The UAE News Web report: Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan has imposed a couple of restrictions to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the country. As Covid-19 infections continue to rise, Imran Khan on Monday imposed restrictions on public gatherings, once again calling on citizens to observe standard operating procedures (SOPs).

He also suspended Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s public gatherings and asked other political parties to follow suit.

In his address to the nation after the National Coordination Committee (NCC) meeting which he chaired, Prime Minister Khan called on people to wear masks and maintain social distance. However, the much-awaited decision on closing of educational institutions was delayed till next week.

He said winter vacations could be extended in schools and colleges in case the situation worsened.

“If the winter vacation is extended, summer holidays will be restricted to one month,” he added.

Mr Khan said marriage ceremonies had been allowed only in open areas and the number of guests restricted to 300. Industries and businesses will remain open.

“This is the time to take precautions as Covid-19 cases in Pakistan have increased by four times in the past two weeks. If we do, we can slow down the virus. Just like earlier we were saved due to following precautions, that time has come again,” he added.

The prime minister said the government had been monitoring the trends of the spread of the virus in the country, adding that Pakistan had been “very lucky” during the first wave of Covid-19. 

“The government is concerned that hospitals in major cities would be full like in June if people didn’t follow the SOPs,” he feared. 

He said it was being reported that the virus had mutated and was spreading “at an even greater speed”, and expressed the fear the situation in Pakistan could worsen even more than in June — when the country saw its first peak of Covid-19. 

He said the easiest safety precaution that everyone must take is to wear a mask when out in public, which can help slow the spread of the virus. 

He ruled out closure of factories, shops and “anything that affects people’s livelihoods”, but stressed that all businesses must follow the recommended SOPs. 

“This [situation] is a test for the country and the entire world. If we take precautions together as a nation in the coming winter, as we did earlier, we will be able to not only save lives but also keep our economy and businesses afloat so that unemployment doesn’t rise in Pakistan,” he said. 

In view of the prevailing situation, the Senate Secretariat issued a circular on Monday, postponing all standing committee meetings till further orders. The National Assembly Secretariat, on the other hand, has not taken any decision in this regard and its parliamentary panels will meet as per routine. 

When contacted, Information Minister Shibli Faraz said the prime minister had not announced a ‘blanket ban’ on public meetings, rather postponed government gatherings and asked other political parties to do the same. 

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