Govt slaps back pillion riding ban one week on
Ban reimposed in light of reports of motorcycle squads for suicide attacks.
KARACHI:
Barely a week after it lifted the ban on pillion riding or ‘double sawari’ on motorcycles, the provincial government reimposed it on Thursday, citing renewed security threats assessed for the month of Muharramul Haram.
The Sindh home ministry took back its decision to allow pillion riding from December 3 to Muharram 12 (December 18 or 19). However, officials believe that the ban may continue even after Muharram 12.
After a long time, the Sindh government had lifted the ban on pillion riding on November 23. According to officials, this time the decision to impose the ban during Muharram was taken after intelligence agencies warned of possible attacks by men on motorcycles as there are reports of terrorist organisations forming motorcycle squads for suicide attacks - especially to sabotage Muharram.
In December 2008, the pillion-riding ban was imposed in Karachi. After two years, on October 16, Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza announced the end of the ban but just after two days, it was re-imposed.
The Sindh government has also prohibited wall chalkings or graffiti and the circulation of fliers, banners and pamphlets with immediate effect for 30 days all over the province under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), according to a notification.
The decision has been taken to prevent vested groups, miscreants and disgruntled elements from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety and peace and maintenance of public order in the province, it said.
Small processions might be targeted
Law-enforcement agencies fear that there is a possibility of small processions and Majalis-e-Aza being at risk. The agencies have hinted that there might be smaller operations which will work to upset the law and order situation in the city.
A senior police official, on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that they feared that this Muharram could be more dangerous than in past years. He advised fueling up vehicles earlier this year.
According to reports, dozens of LeJ activists, including Faizullah Aftab, Zeeshan, Arfeen and Waseem, have been picked up by security agencies from different parts of the city.
In a meeting on security arrangements during Muharram, senior officials directed town police officers to collect details of Majalis and processions, including small gatherings, and to provide foolproof security.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2010.
Barely a week after it lifted the ban on pillion riding or ‘double sawari’ on motorcycles, the provincial government reimposed it on Thursday, citing renewed security threats assessed for the month of Muharramul Haram.
The Sindh home ministry took back its decision to allow pillion riding from December 3 to Muharram 12 (December 18 or 19). However, officials believe that the ban may continue even after Muharram 12.
After a long time, the Sindh government had lifted the ban on pillion riding on November 23. According to officials, this time the decision to impose the ban during Muharram was taken after intelligence agencies warned of possible attacks by men on motorcycles as there are reports of terrorist organisations forming motorcycle squads for suicide attacks - especially to sabotage Muharram.
In December 2008, the pillion-riding ban was imposed in Karachi. After two years, on October 16, Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza announced the end of the ban but just after two days, it was re-imposed.
The Sindh government has also prohibited wall chalkings or graffiti and the circulation of fliers, banners and pamphlets with immediate effect for 30 days all over the province under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), according to a notification.
The decision has been taken to prevent vested groups, miscreants and disgruntled elements from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety and peace and maintenance of public order in the province, it said.
Small processions might be targeted
Law-enforcement agencies fear that there is a possibility of small processions and Majalis-e-Aza being at risk. The agencies have hinted that there might be smaller operations which will work to upset the law and order situation in the city.
A senior police official, on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that they feared that this Muharram could be more dangerous than in past years. He advised fueling up vehicles earlier this year.
According to reports, dozens of LeJ activists, including Faizullah Aftab, Zeeshan, Arfeen and Waseem, have been picked up by security agencies from different parts of the city.
In a meeting on security arrangements during Muharram, senior officials directed town police officers to collect details of Majalis and processions, including small gatherings, and to provide foolproof security.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 3rd, 2010.