Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has banned its pilots and cabin crew members from observing the fasts during the holy month of Ramadan. In a recently published safety bulletin, the national flag carrier stated that fasting is one of the major factors behind decreased performance of human beings. The safety measures have been issued by PIA’s General Manager of Flight Services, Aamir Bashir.
Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Sahibzada Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, has said mosques around the country would remain open during the holy month of Ramadan with strict adherence to COVID-19 standard operating procedures. Last year after the coronavirus first broke out, a restriction on congregation provoked a backlash in Pakistan, with attacks on police as they attempted to halt prayers at mosques.