Amid efforts to ensure a lockdown in Punjab to contain the spread of the novel Coronavirus, authorities arrested four imams over violation of government directives for limiting congregations in mosques.
The rules established by the Punjab government require mosques to be locked down for Friday congregations. As for regular prayers, congregations must have no more than five people at a time – including the imam and muezzin.
During inspection of mosques in Gakhar Mandi, Gujaranwala district, law enforcement agencies found the imams at four places of congregational worship to be in violation of the new rules and arrested them. Cases have been registered against Allama Muhammad Abbas Rizvi of Jama Masjid Noora, Qari Muhammad Sabir of Jamia Masjid Ghausia Rizvia, Qari Muhammad Mazhar of Jamia Masjid Gulzar-i-Madinah and Qari Muhammad Usman of Jamia Masjid Karimabad.
A fifth imam appears to have escaped the authorities.