Ban on motorbikes lifted in G-B

GILGIT:

The Gilgit administration lifted ban on motorbikes on Monday, a day after Muharram processions passed peacefully across the region.

The ban on motorcycles remained effective till 10th Muharram, however, the ban on pillion riding will continue for as long as the government deems it necessary, said Shehzad Ahmed, an official in the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) media cell.

Entry of motorbikes into Gilgit city was banned on 5th Muharram after the government received cautions from the Interior Ministry, warning it to be vigilant as a group of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants was planning an attack on Muharram processions in the area.

Meanwhile, police released five men taken into custody from a procession route in Gilgit a day earlier.

The arrested men, who belong to Khyber-Paktunkhwa, were not carrying identity cards, said an official, adding that they were released after investigation. Government offices remained closed on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2012.