LAHORE: The chief of Minhajul Quran, Dr Tahirul Qadri, on Monday urged the government to act swiftly to control coronavirus outbreak, warning that any delay in taking strict and immediate steps will cause unbearable consequences to the nation.

“Act swiftly and don’t delay taking strict steps for controlling the coronavirus pandemic, otherwise the nation and coming generations will suffer immensely because of the inordinate delay on the part of the government,” Dr Qadri warned in a statement.

“It’s not the time to be afraid or frightening others, rather of taking measures in time,” he said in reference to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s delay in locking down the country to save the poor from starvation.

Qadri, who will speak to the nation on coronavirus and lockdown on Wednesday (tomorrow), said that he had keenly observed the destruction caused by the virus outbreak across the world and framed some suggestions, which he would share with the people.

He said his address will focus on the government, its ministers, health ministry’s high-ups and district administration.

The suggestions, he claimed, would also be useful for the ulema (religious scholars), television anchors and all other segments of society. Advising everyone to be serious about protecting themselves from Covid-19 before it was too late, Qadri directed Minhaj members to raise awareness among the masses about taking precautionary measures.

He said saving oneself and others from the virus was the greatest service to humanity. He urged social media activists to be proactive for boosting morale of the nation and not the vice versa.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2020