'No decision to reopen shrines'

Any decision of this nature would be made only after consulting experts, says Siyal

KARACHI: Sindh Auqaf Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal denied rumours that three shrines were being reopened to the public on Wednesday, insisting that no decision had been made in this regard so far.

Siyal maintained that any decision of this nature would be made only after consulting experts, adding that no standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been devised for shrines yet either.

However, he added, if the shrines were allowed to reopen, all devotees visiting them would have to follow the SOPs.



On the other hand, sources affiliated with the Auqaf department revealed that the department's chief administrator, Munawar Mahesar, had decided to reopen the shrines on his own initiative and had directed the staff of three major shrines to reopen to the public from Thursday (today).

The sources further stated that the department's secretary, Muhammad Haroon, had opposed this decision.

Shrines across the province were closed to the public when the coronavirus threat emerged in March.