Karachi: The Sindh High Court has rejected the petition filed against the restriction on congregational prayers in mosques across the country.
The petition was filed by a citizen Sumaira Mohammadi in which she pleaded that the government cannot stop citizens from going to the mosques. “It is a violation of basic rights”, she contended.
As the hearing started today, the additional attorney general was present in the court to brief the bench on the steps taken by the government to contain the epidemic. He clarified that the mosques are not locked.
The deputy attorney general also informed the court that the president had gathered a consultative meeting tomorrow with religious leaders. The decisions regarding virus restrictions for the holy month of Ramzan would be taken in the meeting.
The SHC in its judgment declared that the authorities were taking measures to ensure the safety of lives amid the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
The SHC also declared the petition as non-maintainable after the arguments were concluded. The court in its remarks stated that the government was using its executive powers to ensure the safety of people and the court could not interfere in policy matters.
The court order stated that the prayers can be restricted in the light of directions issued by the clerics.
The SHC had reserved the judgement on the petition Wednesday. On the last hearing, The SHC inquired about the policy finalised by the federal and provincial governments regarding congregational prayers at mosques.
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