PMA urges govt to review decision on congregational prayers

LAHORE: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has urged the PTI-led federal government and the state institutions to review the decision regarding congregational prayers in mosques.

Addressing a press conference today (Thursday), PMA president, Dr. Ashraf Nizami has stressed the importance of taking strict measures to contain the outbreak of coronavirus.

Dr. Ashraf Nizami – along with other doctors – urged the government, “not to push the country into a test it is not prepared for.”

Dr. Ashraf Nizami also pointed out that the coronavirus infections had already crossed 10,000. He said, “I would like to inform you that the cases are not in thousands, the number is much higher.”

The PMA president also said that the numbers were not based on assumptions but on mathematics, adding, “According to research, 80 percent of patients did not show symptoms.”

The doctors also warned that the next three to four weeks were very important with regard to coronavirus pandemic, adding that the coronavirus infections could exceed lakhs.

Commenting on the 20-point strategy, Dr. Ashraf Nizami said, “The rule regarding a six feet distance between worshippers, practically it’s not possible. We appeal to the government to review its decision.”

Citing the examples of other Islamic countries, he said, “The decisions made by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Dubai, Malaysia and Indonesia should be adopted by the Pakistani government.”

He further said, “All of us want to pray and worship in Ramazan but we should not do anything that would lead to an increase in our troubles.”

Dr. Ashraf Nizami appealed to the federal government for a 100 percent lockdown policy. He further said that the lockdown should also include ban on religious gathering.

Earlier on Wednesday, senior doctors, in a press conference in Karachi, had urged the government to review its decision to allow congregational prayers.