Government ends ban on pillion riding after 2 long years

Ban initially imposed in 2008, following unrest when at least 30 people were killed, mostly in drive-by shootings.

KARACHI: The Sindh Home Department ended a ban on pillion riding or ‘double sawari’ with immediate effect on Tuesday, said a notification.

Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza met a delegation of transporters, who discussed the security that needs to be in place before the ban is lifted.

Mirza hinted that even though the government has lifted the ban, it can impose it again if it feels that the law and order situation is going out of control. The government felt that the situation in Karachi was peaceful so it lifted the ban, he said.

The ban was initially imposed in December 2008, following unrest towards the end of November when at least 30 people were killed, mostly by men on motorcycles in drive-by shootings.

The police and law-enforcement agencies had complained to the government and suggested the ban.

During 2009, the ban was lifted twice only to be imposed again. During the PS-94 by-elections in Orangi Town, Mirza had announced that the ban was lifted but he imposed it again within 48 hours.

According to a Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) report, at least 90 per cent of street crimes in Karachi take place because of pillion riding. In the past two years, nearly 10,000 people have been arrested for violating the ban. It was also estimated that people, who have been forced to use buses, have paid a total of Rs30 million on bus fares.

Meanwhile, many residents of Karachi are happy that two men can ride a motorcycle once again. “We are now safe from buses where pick-pocketing and mugging is quite common,” said one resident.

“It has made it easier for people to commute because the load is off buses now,” said another man. A motorcyclist pointed out that taking the bus was not as cost-effective as using a motorcycle. “Commuting will become easier for people whose salaries are not enough,” he said.

CPLC Chief Ahmed Chinoy also believed that pillion riding is the right of each of the 1.3 million motorcycle users in the city. “We have always insisted that there should not be a ban on pillion riding,” he said.

Chinoy said it is the responsibility of the law-enforcement agencies to control violence in the city. “Banning pillion riding will have no effect on the situation.”

If the police remain vigilant and ensure patrolling at regular intervals in all areas there will be no need to ban pillion riding, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2010.