Congregational prayers: SHC dismisses petition filed against restriction

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday dismissed the petition filed against the restriction on congregational prayers in mosques and ruled that the authorities concerned were taking steps to ensure the safety of lives in view of the spread of the coronavirus.

A division bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, had reserved the judgement on the petition filed by a citizen a couple of days back.

The petitioner had submitted that the government cannot stop citizens from going to the mosques and argued that it was a violation of the basic rights.

On last hearing, Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar had inquired about the policy finalised by the federal and provincial governments regarding congregational prayers at mosques.

When the hearing resumed on Friday, the deputy attorney-general of Sindh informed the court that the president had convened a meeting with religious leaders on April 18 during which decisions regarding restrictions would be taken.

He said that the mosques are not locked, but the number of people entering the mosques has been restricted to prevent the spread of the virus that has already affected over 20 million people worldwide.

He said that the lockdown has been relaxed a bit with the change in situation and informed the court that some industries have been opened in this regard.

After the arguments were concluded, the SHC declared the petition as non-maintainable and stated that the government was using its executive powers to ensure the safety of people, and the court could not interfere in policy matters.

Prayers can be restricted in the light of decrees issued by the clerics, the court said.