Celebs hail Shafqat Mahmood's decision to cancel CAIE

Adnan Siddiqui, Asim Azhar, Ayesha Omar and others took to social media and praised the minister over 'wise decision'

The federal government, on Tuesday, announced more stringent measures to turn the tide of the third wave of Covid-19, postponing all exams till June 15, and banning tourism, closing shopping malls and parks, and shutting down inter-city as well as inter-provincial transport over the Eidul Fitr holidays next month.

The decisions were taken at a meeting of the education and health ministers at the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) which serves as the nerve centre of the government’s unified effort against the pandemic.

Later, Education Minister Shafqat Mahmood and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Faisal Sultan informed the media about the decisions. Mahmood told reporters that the government had decided to postpone all exams till June 15.

Soon after the announcement, many took to Twitter and lauded the government for taking a nuanced stance on the matter. Among others, celebs too shared their take on the matter and lauded the Education Minister for his decision to cancel exams.

Adnan Siddiqui, Asim Azhar, Ayesha Omar and others took to social media and praised Mahmood over 'the wise decision.' Azhar, who had been a staunch supporter of cancelling the exams previously, congratulated the students albeit with sensible advice. "Mubarak bacho. Ab khuda ka waasta hai parties aur get togethers bhi cancel karna apne aur ghar baithna until we’re done with Covid, (For God's sake, cancel the parties and get-togethers as well and stay home until we're done with Covid)," the Ghalat Fehmi crooner tweeted.

Mubarak bacho. 🥳 Ab khuda ka waasta hai parties aur get togethers bhi cancel karna apne aur ghar baithna until we’re done with covid 🙏🏽

— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) April 27, 2021

"A very wise decision by honourable minister Shafqat Mahmood," wrote the Mom star. "Finally, parents and children can heave a sigh of relief. Contrary to some critics, no one is shying away from exams. The atmosphere to hold them right now is not conducive. Gladly bring them on in Oct/Nov."

A very wise decision by honourable minister #shafqatmehmood. Finally, parents and children can heave a sigh of relief. Contrary to some critics, no one is shying away from exams. The atmosphere to hold them right now is not conducive. Gladly bring them on in Oct/Nov

— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) April 27, 2021

Finally," tweeted Omar. "Thank you, Shafqat Mahmood. Safety first. Lives first."

Finally.
Thank you @Shafqat_Mahmood 🙏🙏
Safety first. Lives first. #CambridgeExams #exams2021

— Ayesha Omar (@ayesha_m_omar) April 27, 2021

Aijaz Aslam, however, had a different view. "What a mess this examination process has become," the Nand star shared. The actor voiced his reservations about the decision and wrote, "Why didn't they go for School Assessed Grade (SAGs) option? What about O2 students now? Admissions of A levels? All messed up."

What a mess this examination process has become , why didnt they go for grade assessment option ? What about O2 students now ? Admissions of A levels ? All messed up

— aijaz aslam (@aijazz7) April 27, 2021

Mahmood, in his press conference, had added that another meeting would be held at the end of May to review the pandemic situation in the country and further decision, in this regard, would be taken. He added that depending on the spread of the disease, the date of exams may even be pushed back further. He said that Cambridge exams have also been postponed till Oct/Nov for all grades.

The minister added that Cambridge had announced that extra fees would not be charged from the students shifting their exams to October-November. “Many parents will be relieved that their children will not appear for exams at a time when the virus is at its peak,” the minister said. “The decision has been taken in a collective spirit and in the best interests of the students’ future.”