Pillion riding banned in Karachi, Hyderabad and Khairpur

Sindh government decides to impose a ban on pillion riding to ensure safety and security during Muharram.

KARACHI:

The Sindh government decided on Friday to impose a ban on pillion riding in Karachi, Hyderabad and Khairpur ahead of Muharram.

At a law and order meeting at Chief Minister House, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah asked law enforcement agencies to map out a comprehensive security plan for Muharram, ensuring that imambargahs, mosques, processions and majalis in the province are protected.

Section 144 will be imposed throughout Sindh from Saturday (today) till 11 Muharram. People can no longer obtain permission for organising processions or gatherings. Only those people who had gotten permission last year can hold processions.  “No other programmes or meetings are being allowed so that Muharram passes smoothly and peacefully,” said the spokesperson of the Chief Minister House, adding that law enforcement agencies had once again been asked to curb target killings.

The chief minister added that the inflow of terrorists, criminals and weapons to the province must be stopped promptly.
Director General of the Rangers in Sindh, Maj. General Rizwan Akhatr, IG Sindh Police Fayaz Ahmed Leghari and AIG Karachi Police Iqbal Mehmood also discussed the law and order situation.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2012.