Groom arrested for arranging valima ceremony amid coronavirus outbreak

Despite calls for self-isolation and social distancing and the imposition of Section 144 in Punjab, a wedding in Multan went ahead as planned following which the groom was arrested for not abiding by the rules.

According to reports, officials on Monday were informed that a wedding reception was being held at Nasir Public School. Deputy Commissioner Amir Khattak ordered a team to launch a crackdown on the wedding. Upon reaching the venue, officials arrested the groom who was standing outside the hall to welcome his guests. Police began to remove all the tents at the site and called off the function. An FIR was registered against the groom as well as the principal of the school, Bilal Dogar, for organising the event.

Meanwhile, following a sharp increase in cases of coronavirus in Pakistan, the government has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Punjab for the next three weeks. In a bid to stop the virus from spreading further, the government has also ordered citizens to voluntarily self-isolate and not congregate.

Politicians, celebrities and health experts are also appealing to the people to practise self-isolation and social distancing.

Reminder- please practise social isolation as much as possible. This is important. You can save the virus from spreading and save lives.
And wash your hands 🙏🏼
Hoping and praying for the world to get better, inshAllah. #CoronavirusOutbreak #coronavirusinpakistan

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 17, 2020