The Sindh Home Department on Friday issued a notification which says that there would be a complete lockdown from 12pm to 3pm in the entire province.

It says there would be a complete ban on religious, political and public gatherings, including the Friday prayers. As a result, only three to five persons associated with the administration of the respective mosque could be able to offer the weekly prayers at mosques.

Meanwhile, the citizens will have offer the prayers at their homes, as the move is aimed at stopping them from coming out for the Friday prayers in an effort to curb the coronavirus spread.

Neither any vehicle would be allowed to run on roads nor could any shop be opened during these hours to ensure a complete ban on the movement of people.

Strict action would be taken against those violating the complete lockdown, the notification says.

As various circles have been critical of the decision to ban or restrict the Friday prayers, Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz on Thursday urged the people to offer Zuhr prayers at their homes instead of the weekly Friday gatherings at mosques.

Addressing a press conference after a CII meeting, Qibla Ayaz stressed the need for adopting precautionary measures but advised against spreading fear.

Earlier, a CII meeting was held with Qibla Ayaz in the chair. The members attending the special session via video link discussed different issues including the Friday prayers, daily prayers at mosques and the burial of the coronavirus victims.

The purpose of the meeting was to formulate a joint stance on all the issues generated by the pandemic.