JUI-F to resist if stopped from holding congregational prayers.

HYDERABAD -- Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl vowed on Wednesday to hold congregational prayers and warned if Sindh government tried to stop the faithful from gathering in mosques, the party would hold massive protests.

'After the government relaxed the lockdown and allowed reopening of shopping malls and markets, we have decided to hold congregational prayers and gathering for Shab-i-Qadr, Jumatul Wida and Eidul Fitr. If the government tries to stop them the party will protest.

'The government has targeted religion on the pretext of the virus and reservations are being raised over poor policy of the government. If we are handcuffed for organising prayers in mosques, we'll willingly accept it,' said JUI-F Sindh secretary information Maulana Taj Mohammad Nahiyoon.

He said at a press conference at Madressah Shamsul Uloom that there was no denying the fact that coronavirus was a reality but there were serious questions over whether it was a natural disease or a 'bio-weapon'. Pakistanis would have to face it and lead their life like others around the world, he said.

He said that Eidul Fitr prayer was allowed with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in all other provinces of the country. After performing Eid prayers, JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman and the party's Sindh general secretary Rashid Mehmood Soomro would appeal to activists to stay at home and not to travel, he said.

He said that the government had done nothing for the welfare of people and asked the government to answer where billions of rupees released in the name of relief had gone. They government had not even...