Security measures: Motorcycles barred from places of worship

Interior minister introduces new steps for two-wheelers for Muharram security.

ISLAMABAD:

To bolster the Muharram security, the government has directed security agencies to stop motorcycles half a kilometre away from places of worship during the entire month — a step taken to bar terrorists from entering/targeting mosques, imambargahs, etc.

Officials of the interior ministry on Monday told The Express Tribune that chief secretaries of all four provinces have been directed to ensure implementation of the latest directives.

“Imambargahs may remain terrorists’ prime target,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters, citing intelligence reports. He said banned outfits can also target religious places of the Shia community.

“I’ve directed security agencies that motorcycles should be parked at least half a kilometre away from imambargahs,” said the interior minister. While talking to reporters, he said if need be, more Rangers will be deployed in Karachi and other sensitive areas.

“Law enforcement agencies will be given more power to curb terrorist activists.” The government has already given a “free hand” to security agencies who are working to curb possible acts of terror in Karachi and Quetta.

To a question, Malik said that the government has also decided to block unregistered cellular SIMs by November 30, warning wholesale dealers to get registration done immediately.

Regarding Sunday night’s blast near an Imambargah in the Abbas Town neighborhood of Karachi, Malik said it was not a sectarian attack and blamed a “third force” for the incident.

The minister said that he will continue to work to curb terrorism despite the criticism he received against blocking cellular services and motorcycle riding in the past.

He was of the view that the bans were placed because of the information he had received regarding terror bids in Karachi and Quetta.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2012.