Govt imposes ban on construction of mosques without NOC
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The government has banned the construction of mosques across the country without prior permission aiming to discourage sectarianism and extremism in the society.
Official sources said here yesterday the construction of new mosques has been subjected to the issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the District Coordination Officer (DCO) in the relevant district. The Interior Ministry has issued these directives to all the provinces.
The government is likely to face severe reaction from religious quarters at a time when talks with religious leaders are yet to reach a positive outcome on the issue of madaris registration, the officials concerned fear.
Apart from slapping a ban on the construction of mosques without NOCs, the government is also planning to devise a system for the uniformed sermons in all mosques for Friday’s congregations in a bid to stop sectarian elements from spreading hatred among the people.
Hectic deliberations are under way on the matter in the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The government is ready to go to any extent for curbing extremism from the society and steps in this regard included discouragement of the “mushroom growth of mosques, enforcement of uniformed sermons and registration of religious seminaries”.