PESHAWAR: The district administration here has urged ulema and prayer leaders to join hands with the government for creating awareness of standard operating procedures (SOPs) among people so they could help prevent spread of Covid-19.

According to a statement issued here on Friday, additional deputy commissioner, Peshawar, Ashfaq Khan held a meeting with prayer leaders and informed them that there was a dire need for creating awareness among people to adopt precautionary measures for personal safety and controlling the epidemic.

Besides Maulana Tariq Hussain, Maulana Sahib Hussain Shah and Maulana Jahanzeb Zahid, the meeting was also attended by City Marriage Halls Association president Khan Gul, KP Marriage Halls Association general secretary Jamroz Khan, Auqaf Department manager Nasrum Minallah and other officials.

The ADC said that prayer leaders in their sermons should sensitise people to follow SOPs especially while using public transport, visiting bazaars, attending marriage ceremonies and other places.

He said that people should exercise caution during their interaction in and outside worship places to ensure their safety by wearing face masks and using sanitisers.

Mr Ashfaq said people should frequently wash their hands with soap to stop the virus spread in their respective areas.

The ulema, he said, should urge the elderly and ailing people to perform their prayers at home.

He said that people must avoid attending unnecessary gatherings.

He also asked owners of marriage halls to follow the rules and hold gatherings in open air with maximum 300 guests.

The participants assured their cooperation to the government and agreed to create awareness among their followers.

Meanwhile, the administration arrested three persons for running a factory of fake beverages at Swati area of Peshawar.

A party headed by additional assistant commissioner Mohammad Arshad sealed the factory. A case has been registered against the arrested persons.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2020