Lawyers in Hyderabad have challenged in court the government’s decision to ban large gatherings at mosques for five regular prayers and Friday prayers.

Lawyers Shakeel Zai and Noorul Ameen have challenged the government’s decision in the Circuit Bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC).

The government had recently banned congregations at mosques for five regular prayers as well as Friday prayers as part of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The petitioners have said that vegetable and fruit markets and super markets are open despite the fact that people visit these markets in large numbers. Will these markets not spread coronavirus, they asked?

The prime minister, Sindh chief minister, federal interior minister, chairman of the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and 17 government departments have been made respondents in the case. The petitioners have pleaded that the court should order the government to open mosques for 15 minutes for each prayer five times a day as well as Friday prayers.