LAHORE, Pakistan– Thousands of radical Muslims have gathered in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore for an annual congregation despite increasing coronavirus infections and deaths in the country.

Thursday’s gathering took place after the Punjab government asked the Tableeghi Jamaat to adhere to social distancing rules at its annual event in which Muslims from various countries also participate.

Last year, members of Tableeghi Jamaat had been blamed for spreading the new virus in Pakistan and elsewhere in the world.

The latest development comes hours after Pakistan on Thursday reported 26 new fatalities from the coronavirus, one of the highest single-day tallies in recent months. Pakistan has reported 388,7 85 confirmed cases, including 6,893 deaths.