FAISALABAD, Aug 28: The Punjab government has decided to monitor the activities of mosques and seminaries and prayer leaders, especially contents of sermons, through the union councils.

The section officer (estate) of the Punjab Local Government and Rural Development Department, issued a circular to district Nazims and DCOs asking for "strict implementation of instructions of the President of Pakistan regarding vigilance on activities of mosques and madaris."

"I am directed to invite your attention to the maintenance of law and order, regulation of mosques and madaris and to inform you that in compliance with the decisions of the meeting chaired by the President of Pakistan, a number of decisions have been taken," the circular said.

According to the circular, union council Nazims and the member concerned "shall monitor the observance of ban on the use of loud-speaker for any purpose other than Azan and Khutba (sermon). The district coordination officers shall coordinate all matters relating to compliance with these directions, and reports thereof shall be forwarded to the Punjab Home Department on monthly basis."

On receiving the circular, the Faisalabad DCO issued a directive to the six Tehsil Municipal Administrations asking them to communicate the order to union council.

Meanwhile, police asked the mosques managements in the City, Saddar, Saumundri, Chak Jhumra, Tandlianwala and Jaranwala tehsils not to use loudspeakers except for Azan and Khutba. The SHOs have also been asked to implement these instructions.

The managements of madaris have also been directed by the police not to accommodate foreign students who did not have proper documents. They have also been asked to provide the lists of their students, especially those belonging to other cities.

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