A government official in Balochistan's Kharan district has banned residents from styling their beards in different designs.

A handwritten notification issued by Assistant Commissioner Kharan Mohammad Bakhsh Sajidi, dated May 29, says barbers are "strictly barred" from styling customers' beards in different shapes or clipping them into designs.

Styling beards "is contrary to Islamic instructions and has been opposed by local and international scholars", said the notice.

It said the barbers found violating the order would be "fined heavily".

The assistant commissioner has instead directed barbers to trim beards in a 'simple' fashion that is free of showy designs or patterns.