Coronavirus fear: Nation observes Pakistan Day with simplicity

ISLAMABAD:  The nation is celebrating Pakistan Day today with complete simplicity as all public gatherings, events programs were also canceled amid an outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Special dua ceremonies were held at the mosques across the country after Fajr prayers for suppression of coronavirus from the country. The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.

The historic day (March 23) is being observed to celebrate the passage of Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940, under which the Muslims of the sub-continent lay down the agenda of achieving a separate homeland.

 A military parade and other public events have been postponed across the country as preventive steps, however, the state radio and television will transmit special programs and media houses will show up the significance of Pakistan Day.

On March 22, in wake of the increasing worldwide outbreak of coronavirus, Pakistan Day related national award distribution due today had been halt indefinitely by the government.

The primary ceremony was to take place at the President’s House on Monday (today) while another ceremony was to be held at provincial governor houses postponed.

Pakistan reported the highest number of coronavirus cases in the region, a total of 776 till Sunday night. Authorities confirmed the country’s six fatalities from COVID-19, as the illness is officially known.

Balochistan and Sindh governments announced complete lockdown and sought Pakistan Army assistance under Article 245 in order to restrain the spread of the coronavirus due to worsening the situation in provinces.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan has risen to 778 as some of the provinces reported new cases on Monday. Sindh has remained the worst affected province from the coronavirus with a total of 333 cases.