ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked his Economic Advisers to look seriously into having an interest-free economy as suggested by religious scholars Mufti Taqi Usmani and Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman.
The suggestion was forwarded when a delegation of religious scholars met the prime minister in Islamabad on Monday in the wake of the precautionary measures for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
وزیر اعظم عمران خان سے ممتاز علماء کرام کے وفد کی ملاقات۔لاک ڈاؤن کے حوالے سے وزیر اعظم کے مؤقف کی تائید۔وزیراعظم کا مؤقف حقیقت پسندانہ اور زمینی حقائق پر مبنی ہے۔علمائے کرام کی جانب سےوزیر اعظم کو مکمل تعاون کی یقین دہانی۔ pic.twitter.com/XXLbExxs1c
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) April 20, 2020
Later briefing the media after the meeting, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said that on the demand of Ulema, Imran Khan directed the Ministry of Finance to prepare a framework for interest-free loans to Madaris (religious seminaries).
In addition, the prime minister also asked his economic advisers to seriously look into Mufti Taqi Usmani and Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman’s suggestion of having an interest-free economy.
The Special Assistant said that the prime minister directed to release all clerics, worshippers who were arrested for violating restrictions on mosques.
Dr. Firdous said that the prime minister also instructed Pakistan Television Network to begin a televised program for seminary students so that they don’t miss out their education during the lockdown.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said that it has been decided that mosques will remain open throughout the country while prayers will be offered following the precautionary measures against the spread of the COVID-19.
The Special Assistant said that the Ulema Community has acknowledged and appreciated the prime minister’s initiative of consultative meetings with them to devise a comprehensive strategy during Ramazan in view of the Coronavirus.
The prime minister said that the role of Ulema and scholars in the fight against the Coronavirus is vital, and he appealed them to obey 20-point agreement devised to follow the precautionary measures in mosques, Dr. Firdous told.
