Ulema meet PM Imran on coronavirus measures, 'endorse govt's strategy'.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Monday that the ulema not only endorsed Prime Minister Imran Khan's strategy to fight against the coronavirus pandemic but also assured him of their complete cooperation.

The SAPM was speaking to the media alongside Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noorul Haq Qadri after a meeting between the prime minister and religious scholars.

"We have to face and fight coronavirus. At the same time, we have to ensure that daily life continues to function. We, as a country, keep fighting the virus, unemployment and hunger - this is the thinking behind the prime minister's coronavirus strategy at the moment. And this strategy has been strongly acknowledged and endorsed by the respected ulema," Awan said.

According to Awan, ulema appreciated prime minister's decision to reopen mosques during Ramazan, adding that they called his decision "Islam friendly" and "humanity friendly".

Awan said that the prime minister, on ulema's suggestion, will issue directives to Pakistan Television (PTV) and others to start religious tele-schools for students of religious seminaries and madressahs so that these students, along with others, can also learn from home during the coronavirus lockdown.

Awan also announced that the prime minister will call for a nationwide 'Day of Taubah' on Friday to seek Allah's forgiveness and assistance in the country's fight against the "unprecedented" pandemic.

The prime minister assured the ulema that he will direct relevant ministries to prepare a plan to offer interest-free loans to madressahs to deal with the financial fallout from the virus outbreak. Additionally, he asked his economic advisers to look seriously into Mufti Taqi Usmani and Mufti Muneebur Rehman's suggestion of having an interest-free economy, she added.

Furthermore, the prime...