Peshawar will not undergo lockdown: KP government

PESHAWAR: Adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ajmal Khan Wazir has confirmed that the provincial capital – Peshawar – will not undergo a lockdown.

Addressing a press conference today (Friday), Ajmal Khan Wazir urged the people of the province to take precautionary measures and practice social distancing.

Commenting on Ulema performance, Wazir said that the Ulema were playing an extremely crucial role amid the coronavirus outbreak, adding that even Islam has given instructions to combat any pandemic that spreads.

He also urged the pople to avoid handshake and said, “In the current environment, it is better to say greetings than to shake hands. There can be no greater greeting than Assalam-o-Alaikum.”

The adviser also said that people should need to abstain from all non-essential travel, adding that there will not be a lockdown in Peshawar.

He further added that there should be sadaqa, zakat, and kheirat — or propitiatory offerings, alms, and charity — for those facing challenges presently.

Commenting on the pilgrims from Taftan, he said that some 170 of them had reached Dera Ismail Khan earlier but had been sent to Gilgit-Baltistan a day prior.