CM Fazlur Rehman reviews Youm-e-Ali security arrangements

Sindh government imposes ban on pillion riding

KARACHI: Caretaker Chief Minister Fazlur Rehman, presiding over a meeting on the law and order situation, reviewed the security arrangements for Youm-e-Ali to be observed on Wednesday Ramazan 21.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Inspector-General of Police Allah Dino Khowaja, Principal Secretary to the CM Ejaz Ali Khan, Home Secretary Qazi Shahid Pervez, Karachi Additional IG Mushtaq Maher and South DIG Azad Khan.

Briefing the CM, Khowaja said that a detailed security plan for the Youm-e-Ali procession has been worked out. He said 4,244 policemen will be deployed in the South zone, which includes 191 pilot escorts, 3,069 personnel along the route, 185 on the security of the processions from Lines Area imambargahs, 317 on the dispersal route of mourners, 250 at entry points, 64 at hospitals and 168 for the post-procession plan.

The IG said six imambargahs have been declared as most-sensitive in the South zone. This includes three in Clifton, two in the city area and one in Lyari, while the number of sensitive imambargahs is 40.



The processions start from Ramzan 18 and continue till 21, the IG said, adding that 53 majalis have been declared sensitive and the security plan has been made accordingly.

Maher said a coordination meeting with the ulemas, dignitaries and organisers has already been held. Peace committees at district and sub-divisional level have been reorganised by SSPs and SPs, he said, adding that volunteer teams and scouts have been mobilised for police assistance.

The CM directed the police to remove all kinds of wall-chalking, banners, sign boards and other hate material. On this, Maher said that work has started on it and it would be completed by the same evening.

The South DIG said that obstructions on the procession route have been removed. A surveillance of terrorists released on bail and those put on the 4th Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act has started, he said.

The CM said there should be zero tolerance for the misuse of loudspeakers, wall-chalking and any hate material.



Rehman directed the police to develop close coordination with the Rangers and other intelligence agencies, including the special branch, for foolproof security arrangements. The CM was informed that close coordination was established with the district administration and local bodies for the cleanliness of the periphery and routes of the majalis and processions.

It was decided that the code of conduct issued by the home department will be strictly implemented.

Giving details of the procession, the IG said it will start from Nishtar Park, going through Purani Numaish, Saddar, Empress Market, Regal Chowk, MA Jinnah Road to Hussainia Iranian Imambargah. Around 15,000 people are expected to participate in the procession.

The IG said the procession route was divided into six sectors and 15 sub-sectors. Each sector will be commanded by the SP and DSP respectively, he said.



Under the plan, some 40 ambulances will be deployed at various designated points. The entire route will be sealed by closing off side lanes and deploying police. As many as 927 spots have been identified, which include 308 buildings, 157 rooftops and 462 building gates, that will be guarded by commandoes. The route will be scanned by a bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs. A designated police party will carry out a physical search of the entire route and surveillance cameras will be installed.

The IG said all vehicles joining the procession will be issued stickers by the traffic police.

Two is a crowd

The Sindh government issued on Monday a notification banning pillion riding for motorcycles and scooters on occasion of Youm-e-Ali.

The ban was imposed citing the prevailing law and order situation in the province. Cellular services are also likely to be suspended in the city on the day.



"In view of the security threats on occasion of Youm-e-Ali, the Karachi Additional IG and Hyderabad DIG requested to impose a ban on pillion riding on Ramazan 21," the notification reads.

"Therefore, the government, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 144 (6) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, imposed a ban on pillion riding of motorcycles and scooters on Youm-e-Ali all over the province," it added.

However, the pillion riding ban will not be applicable to women, children below the age of 12 years, senior citizens, journalists, personnel of law enforcement agencies, security agencies in uniform and employees of the essential services.