RAWALPINDI: In a latest move, the provincial government has imposed a ban on the use of more than one loudspeaker in worship places.

In this regard, the police have been directed to launch a crackdown on the violators of the ban under the Punjab Sound Regulation Ordinance 2015.

The law empowers the police to arrest and confiscate the sound system.

The police said only one loudspeaker was allowed outside mosques for Azan, Khutba in Arabic on Friday and during Eid prayers besides announcements for deaths or missing people.

“We have served notices on mosques and other worship places to remove the extra speakers immediately,” superintendent of police Rawal Division Malik Karamat told Dawn.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has already expressed displeasure over the police performance in implementing the ban on the use of loudspeakers, printing and distribution of hate, provocative material and wall chalking.

On the other hand, the provincial government has also directed the authorities concerned to check the unauthorised construction of mosques and madressahs.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2015

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