ISLAMABAD May 10: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has urged the nation to hold countrywide “Namaz-i-Istisqa” and pray to the Almighty for rains.

In the wake of grim forecasts about less that usual rainfall, the prime minister said in a statement that the country was in the grip of a severe heatwave and was facing threat of a serious water crisis due to receding water level of reservoirs, rivers, streams, nullahs and wells.

He said the Holy Prophet (PBUH) used to offer special prayers seeking mercy and blessings of Allah in situations of drought. He made an impassioned appeal to the nation to offer special prayers for rain.

The prime minister requested Ulema and Mashaikh to arrange “Namaz-i-Istisqa” in their areas.

The prayers should continue till the Almighty blessed the country with rains, the prime minister added.