PESHAWAR, Aug 6: Despite an announcement by the government to enforce the Nizamul Salat, which requires all moques to hold prayers at the same time, prayer leaders in most of the mosques in the city held Friday prayers at old timings.

NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani in a meeting which was attended by DIGs, SPs, Nazims, DPOs and secretaries lastmonth had hoped that the provincial government, in consultations with all Muslim groups would fix timings of Azan and prayers.

The chairman of the Tanfeez-i-Nizamul Salat Committee, Qari Ruhullah Madani, had announced on Thursday that Nizamul Salat would be enforced in Peshawar from Friday and gradually it would be extended in the other parts of the province.

Qari Madani said it was decided that Azan and Namaz timings would be 1pm and 1:30pm respectively. But on Friday, old timings were observed in all moques. Jamia Masjid Al-Zarooni in Hayatabad called for prayers on 12:30pm and observed Friday prayers on 1:50pm.

The timing of azan in Abubakar Mosque Faisal Colony was 12:45pm and prayer timing was 1:45pm. Jamia Mosque in Corporation Colony called for prayers on 12:30pm and prayers were offered at 1pm. Darwaish Mosque in Peshawar cantt was the only mosque which observed the timings fixed by the government.