Local stars pray for India amid its crippling Covid-19 crisis

Earlier, Faisal Edhi had also offered Modi support as India reels from a devastating second wave.

As of Saturday, the coronavirus death toll in India stood at 190,000 with 2,624 fatalities reported in 24 hours, out of which Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (773) followed by Delhi with 348 daily deaths, reported Hindustan Times.

People across the country are scrambling for oxygen, while patients lie dying outside hospitals. There is a shortage of life-saving medicines, doctors and hospital beds too. Following the reports and heart-wrenching footages that have surfaced over the past 48 hours, many from this side of the border have sent their prayers in to their neighbours, keeping all differences aside.

Devastated by the daily death tallies and distressing videos, actor Osman Khalid Butt urged citizens of Pakistan to continue following all SOPs, irrespective of getting vaccinated. He also prayed for India. "Gut-wrenching visuals from India; the Covid-19 crisis is deepening. Sending prayers that the nation comes out of this. Please, everyone, mask up. Don't let the idea that we're vaccinated (or going to be soon) allow you to let your guard down. Observe all SOPs. Save lives," he tweeted.

Gut-wrenching visuals from India - the Covid crisis is deepening. Sending prayers that the nation comes out of this.
Please, everyone, mask up. Don't let the idea that we're vaccinated (or going to be soon) allow you to let your guard down.
Observe all SOPs. Save lives.

— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) April 23, 2021

Writer and columnist Fatima Bhutto shared a BBC documentary on India on her Instagram stories and wrote, “Heartbreaking to watch what is happening in India.”

Singer Momina Mustehsan, who recently called out the government’s decision to carry on with CAIE examinations in Pakistan, asked if we can help our neighbours. “As cases in India soar to highest global daily and second highest in total, it is bound to put strain on resources. This is humanity v the virus. Our battle against Covid-19 is also intensifying but can we share to help our neighbors? India needs oxygen,” she tweeted.

As cases in India soar to highest global daily and second highest in total, it is bound to put strain on resources. This is humanity vs the virus. Our battle against covid is also intensifying, but can we share to help our neighbors? #IndiaNeedsOxygen @ImranKhanPTI @SMQureshiPTI

— Momina Mustehsan (@MominaMustehsan) April 23, 2021

Prior to this, Faisal Edhi, son of celebrated philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi and chairman of the Edhi foundation, offered help to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Confirming the letters to the Indian government and Pakistan’s Foreign Office, he told The Express Tribune, that his team is ready and waiting for approval from both governments.

“We will be ready in two days to reach India,” he said. “I also request the Indian government to make a flexible visa policy,” Faisal said, adding that his team has significant international experience of helping people during natural disasters.

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