Govt lifts ban on pillion riding

The motorcycle is an affordable way of commuting for a large majority of people in the city.

KARACHI: The Sindh government has on Tuesday lifted the ban on pillion riding in Karachi.

The Sindh Home Ministry has issued a notification, lifting a ban on pillion riding in Karachi. The news was received well by citizens, as the ban had been in place for the past two years in Karachi and Hyderabad due to security concerns in the wake of target killings.

Many of the target killings in Karachi are carried out by men riding on a motorcycle, as one person drives it and the other opens fire at the target. However, the motorcycle is also an affordable way of commuting for a large majority of people in the city. In fact, it is the only transport that thousands of families survive on.

Despite the ban, incidents of target killings in Karachi were on the rise.

Meanwhile, the Sindh Home Ministry directed the police not to harass pillion riders. However, due to the security situation police have been asked to remain vigilant and continue routine checking at checking points.