KARACHI: Pillion riding has been banned in parts of Sindh province including Karachi on account of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).
According to a notification issued from Sindh home department, the pillion-riding ban will remain enforced in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad. Women, children under age of 12 years, journalists and senior citizens are exempted from the ban, the notification read.
The notification authorises the SHOs of the concerned police stations to “register complaints under the Section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code in writing for the violation of Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code…”.
“The government of Sindh is satisfied that in order to maintain law and order situation and to avoid ant untoward incident/mishap during the chehlum activities, it is necessary to take immediate measure,” read the notification.
Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar has directed the officials concerned to ensure foolproof security arrangements on Chehlum across the province. Mahar asked the officials to ensure strict security measures on the routes of the Chehlum processions.
The Sindh’s top cop also directed to deploy snipers at the high-rise buildings on the routes of the processions to avert any untoward incident, while DP boxes should also be checked. He also directed removing banners, posters, and wall chalking on the main procession’s route.
Minister Sheikh Rasheed had previously said that mobile phone services would be suspended on Chehlum as part of security measures to avoid any untoward incident.
Addressing a press conference, the minister had said the Pakistan Army and Rangers troops will be deployed for security of Chehlum processions.
