ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the public gatherings of the opposition parties will not be able to harm the government, however it would only increase coronavirus cases in Pakistan.

Addressing the nation on spread of the deadly disease, PM Imran Khan said, “These rallies can be held after two to three months. People get closer in public gatherings which multiplies chances of the virus’ spread.”

He said people asked the government that on one hand they urged them to adopt SOPs in mosques and malls and people were losing jobs because of closure of restaurants, marriage halls and schools. While, on the other hand, political parties were holding rallies, then, it became difficult for them to answer.

Not just in Pakistan, but the world over it had become difficult to impose the SOPs, he said. People had started resisting against it as they were tired of it after the first wave, he added.

“If we want Allah (SWT) to help us, we must help ourselves first, we must follow the COVID-19 SOPs. Hospitals will be filled to capacity, if coronavirus cases continued rising. If cases increase, we won’t be able to do anything. Precaution is a must now,” said PM Imran.

He said close gatherings even at house could speed spread of COVID-19, while outside of home in open area there was less chance of getting infected.

“When cold weather will become harsher and people will start gathering near heaters then it will catalyse more cases. It is the right time that we adopt SOPs and the biggest SOP is that we wear mask, it will minimize chances of contracting the disease,” he said.

The prime minister appealed to all the people to adopt precautionary measures against coronavirus.

“We protected our countrymen from joblessness in the first wave. We have to do it again,” he said.