Last year, the Islamabad police on the directives of the government decided to take action against those involved in preaching religious and sectarian hatred and violence in the capital.
Police officers close to the move, on the condition of anonymity, stated that out of fear of retaliation by extremists, it was decided that a generalised action would be taken rather than focusing on a specific individuals or groups. “With the help of the amplifier act and the ban on the use of loudspeakers, cases can be registered against those who are involved in preaching hate or inciting violence,” a police official said.
Loudspeakers are generally used in places of worship to deliver sermons and give azan. However, through these laws, prayer leaders were told that except when delivering the azan their voices should not be heard outside the mosque.
Following the decision, in October 2014, police officials met the organisers and prayer leaders at all the mosques and imambargahs in the city and requested them to not violate the ban by using amplifiers and loudspeakers when delivering sermons. “The police also warned them that legal action would be taken against the violators.”
The official said the police had identified some places where religious and sectarian hatred and violence were preached. “There are no more than four or five such places in the capital,” he said.
Other officials said the police were currently using the excuse that action was being taken against everyone using amplifiers and loudspeakers without discrimination. Otherwise supporters of those arrested could begin protesting all over the country.
According to the officials, a majority of prayer leaders are cooperating with the police and obeying the law. If they receive a warning from the police, they give assurance that they will obey the rules in the future.
