KOHAT: With Covid positivity ratio going up and one or two deaths reported daily the district administration here on Thursday urged the people to strictly follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) to contain the spread of virus.

Deputy commissioner Abdur Rehman accompanied by district police officer Sohail Khalid told the people in a video message that there was shortage of beds in almost all the hospitals for treatment of Covid patients.

He said that joint teams of police and administration had been constituted to ensure that people used face masks in bazaars, bus stands and mosques.

The message said that from now on there would be no leniency in the ban on gatherings and opening of markets beyond 6pm and the violators would be arrested.

The DC said that a meeting had been held with the ulema and prayer leaders who had been asked to strictly ensure distancing during Taraveeh and other prayers. The people have been requested to do ablution at homes and then come to the mosques. He hoped that they would control Covid with the public cooperation to save precious lives.

LAUNCHED: The Sons of Kohat and local peace council here on Thursday launched free Iftar for the attendants of patients from distant areas at the KDA teaching, Liaquat memorial and other hospitals besides passengers at the local bus stations.

They said they would distribute food packets daily and increase their quantity, if required. The volunteers will deliver the food packets at the hospitals and bus stands like the previous years.

Sons of Kohat president Syed Hanan Shah while supervising packing of the food said it was their religious duty to provide food to the deserving people, especially during Ramazan.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2021