President Mamnoon to offer Namaz-i-Istasqa for rain today

ISLAMABAD - President Mamnoon Hussain will offer special Namaz-i-Istasqa on Monday (today) to seek divine intervention of Allah Almighty for rain.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the president appealed to the nation to seek the Almighty’s blessings and hold countrywide special prayers for rain on Monday.

He asked religious clerics to lead prayers in all parts of the country for rain to end the protracted drought.

A spokesman for the president said that Mr Hussain would offer Namaz-i-Istasqa after Zuhar prayers at the Presidency’s mosque.

Lack of rain in the country has led to severe reductions of water levels in reservoirs and underground water and it is also affecting the agriculture sector that supplements the national economy.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the dry weather affecting most parts of the country is expected to continue till January. They warn that if it stretches to February, the water level would hit the dead level, which could prove "catastrophic".

It further said that the country will have a dry winter this year, with clear skies, resulting in warmer weather during the day, and colder weather at night.