ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has decided to ban all sort of Youm-i-Ali processions across the Country in view of the surge in Coronavirus Cases.
Youm-i-Ali is observed every year on the 21st of Ramazan to mourn the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali (RA).
The decision to ban Youm-i-Ali processions was taken when the NCOC held an important session in Islamabad on Saturday under the Chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar.
The session was co-chaired by the National Coordinator NCOC Lieutenant General Hamood Uz Zaman Khan.
The Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, the Minister for religious affairs Noor Ul Haq Qadri, and the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Health Dr. Faisal Sultan also participated in the session.
The Provincial Secretaries and Representatives of Law Enforcement Agencies (LAEs) attended the NCOC session through video link.
Keeping in view the risk factor due to the ongoing surge in COVID spread across the Country and particularly in major Urban Centers, it was decided in the NCOC meeting to ban all sort of processions while holding of Majalis has been permitted under strict COVID SOPs which are already in place for Ramazan ul Mubarik.
The forum emphasized the need to engage religious scholars and community leaders at provincial and district levels for the implementation of these decisions.
