RAWALPINDI: In line with the ban on the use of more than one loudspeaker in worship places, the police removed over 400 loudspeakers from 200 mosques in the Rawalpindi district.

On the other hand, 80 cases were registered against the violators of the Punjab Sound Regulation Ordinance 2015. The law empowers the police to arrest the violators of the ban and confiscate the sound system.

Since the promulgation of the ordinance, the police have been directed to remove extra loudspeakers affixed outside mosques and seminaries. Only one loudspeaker is allowed outside religious places for Azan, Friday sermon in Arabic and Eid prayers.

When City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Abbasi was contacted, he said the police had intensified its campaign against the illegal use of loudspeakers.

“Police have removed extra loudspeakers from 200 mosques so far and efforts are underway to fully implement the new law,” CPO Abbasi said, adding the police had been directed to show zero tolerance for the misuse of loudspeakers, wall chalking and the distribution of hate materials.

Notices have already been served on mosques and other worship places to remove the extra loudspeakers, a security official added. A police team tried to remove extra loudspeakers from some mosques at Ratta Amral but had to give up the drive after a strong resentment from the prayer leaders of the area.

According to the security official, more than one loudspeaker was being used in 60 per cent of the mosques in Rawalpindi.

Security personnel have been directed to gather intelligence from different parts of the city and monitor the activities of religious leaders and prayer leaders. The police have been directed to seize the extra loudspeakers and arrest the prayer leader found violating the ban.

Meanwhile, a delegation of ulema is expected to hold a meeting with CPO Abbasi to express their concerns over the registration of cases against prayer leaders.

It may be noted that 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 and provocative materials and wall chalking.

Published in Dawn March 13th, 2015

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