ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Shibli Faraz on Wednesday urged the opposition parties to avoid public meetings in the wake of rising number of coronavirus cases.

Addressing a press conference, Mr Faraz said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had cancelled all its public meetings and even postponed an event in Rashakai.He advised people to stay away from the opposition’s public meetings and take the threat of coronavirus seriously by participating only in economic and business activities.

To a question, he said a committee led by Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood had discussed the matter of closing schools, and a decision would be taken in the next two days.

A memorandum of understanding would be signed by the informaton ministry, PTV and Pakistan Radio to hold online classes for students, he added.

The minister said parties in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) were divided on various issues, adding that the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) knew that they were not on the same page.

He said cracks in their ranks were evident from their contradictory statements, adding that PDM head Maulana Fazlur Rehman had always done politics on the basis of religion, keeping his business and vested interests in view.

He said the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl did not win seats in Gilgit Baltistan, adding that the opposition parties had no programme for the welfare of people.

The minister said the government had improved the economy despite difficulties arising from coronavirus.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2020