ISLAMABAD: Prominent religious scholar and chairman Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman on Tuesday, said the lockdown was not "applicable to mosques", adding that arrangements would be made for Friday congregational prayers and tarawih in Ramazan.

Speaking after a meeting of ulema at the Karachi Press Club, Mufti Muneeb ur Rehman called on people coming to mosques to practice social distancing.

We want to give the government a message that mosques should not be closed, Mufti Muneeb told reporters.

The announcement came moments after the federal government announced the extension in the countrywide lockdown by two weeks.

Mufti Taqi Usmani has said that daily prayers will be held in mosques while taking all precautionary measures.

“There will be proper space in the rows of people who pray,” he added.

Mufti Usmani demanded the government release prayer leaders and withdraw cases against them.