Karachi enforces ban on music in public transport
31
KARACHI: Traffic police in Karachi said Thursday they have launched a campaign to stop music being played in public transport due to complaints from women.
The authorities denied the move was in response to a reported warning from the Taliban, who consider music sinful according to their interpretation of Islam.
“No there was no threat to the traffic police from anyone, it is entirely baseless,” Arif Hanif, Karachi traffic police chief AFP.
“We only got complaints from the women commuters and nothing else,” Hanif said.
“And the campaign is aimed at the implementation of the law as the rules prohibit playing music in public transport,” he said.
The congested roads of the chaotic city of 20 million are plied by a variety of public transport vehicles including buses, rickshaws and taxis.
Drivers caught playing music will be fined and music players will be confiscated under the crackdown.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (31) Closed
Feb 20, 2014 06:11pm
What an irresponsible and immature reporting ? what it has got to do with TTP ,, why was it important to put this msg at the end which does not correlate with the report ' The Pakistan Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) launched an insurgency seven years ago that has claimed nearly 7,000 lives."
Even in USA and other non muslim countries music in public transport is not allowed.
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 06:42pm
It is indeed a right move.. the choice of music one wants to hear is a personal thing..it should not be imposed upon specially in public domain.
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 07:07pm
Pathetic. Why don't these institutions do something useful like doing their bloody jobs instead of moral policing?
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 07:25pm
'The Dawning of a New Pakistan'...Good Move Karachi, in Keeping your City Clean!
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 07:26pm
Would it be OK for Passengers to do Qawali to pass time while traveling?
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 07:33pm
Listening music is prohibited in Islam and it is not appropriate to link it to fundamentalist interpretation of Islam. We all must appreciate this move and make it applicable to whole Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 09:20pm
The Lord Be Praised.
Tabdilee indeed has arrived.
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 09:59pm
Yet another stupid decision. Who knows what will happen to Pakistan and Pakistanis because the people who are making these decisions will be living a life of luxury in a foreign land and listen to music in discos.
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 10:17pm
I completely support this ban! The loud, annoying, cheap sounds give me a daily headache and people stare in disgusting ways...
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 10:26pm
That must be the biggest joke. Are you trying to tell me that women who travel in public transport got off a bus and walked to police stations to complain about the music in buses?. This is nothing but a lie. The actual reason is that our friends (TTP) would like to see a Pakistan without music.
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 11:01pm
Good
It is time that some positive social & cultural rules are imposed and compliance
enforced. It should include spitting at bus stops as well.
Recommend
0
Feb 20, 2014 11:13pm
Is this a bus a really a public transport bus.
if yes, i am amazed at the art/paint work and its too beautiful!!!!
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 12:48am
Good move.
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 03:22am
"music sinful according to their interpretation of Islam." Music is clearly not allowed in Islam. Why do people try to play games with the Deen of Allah (SW). If something is declared haram by Allah and his Messenger (PBUH), we cannot make it halal.
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 03:25am
Good Move
PLEASE KEEP THIS LAW
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 04:21am
Music is sinful. No doubt about this. My dad told me. He also told me never to ask questions.
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 04:28am
Who are the police trying to fool? Women have been traveling by public transport for as long as I can remember - why all of a sudden, they are now objecting to the music? Talibans, on the other hand, have recently come into play and have been demanding that music be banned. I am totally disgusted by our police and I can assure you this is the start and it will not end there. Talibans are a disease and unless you take control of it from the very beginning, it will spread very rapidly and become incurable. Right in front of our eyes, we are seeing our situation deteriorating and really, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 05:06am
Does anybody remember what emperor Aurangzeb's policies were? If factual history of India is taught.
Music was one of his victims. That time was also beginning of downfall of Mughal dynasty rulers.
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 07:37am
good move by the trafic police..
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 11:18am
Finally, we have started witnessing what sharia means. Once it becomes unbearable, please come back to your original religion where there is no book to dictate you and thereby making your life hell. Till that time, you have to bear. Let Shiva give you strength to endure.
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 04:33pm
@jen:
Pakistan's original religion is Hindu, if that comes back all these problems are gone
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 06:09pm
@Raj:
wishful thinking. keep dreaming buddy.
Recommend
0
Feb 21, 2014 07:57pm
@Khanm:
Are you really serious? Since when has music become a private matter? Music eases your tension and puts you in a relaxed mood. There are music concerts held and thousands of people spend their hard earned money to attend them. It is a best remedy to stress and has no side effects. With so much going on in Pakistan, which causes a great deal of depression, I think our people deserve some fun, like listening to music when they are traveling. Maybe not at full blast, but gentle music needs to be offered.
Recommend
0
Feb 22, 2014 03:33am
@Raj:
Twisted mind, twisted thinking.
Recommend
0
Feb 22, 2014 04:14am
After many years loud music in public transport , Finally government noticed, and pass the new law to stop music in public transport. I thinks it's great.
Beside religion .. As we all know loud music is painful for sick and elderly
religious and small children. I hope government must pass the law against
loud horn noise in public transportation.
sincerely,
ashraf mirza (USA) ashwmirza@yahoo.com
Recommend
0
Feb 22, 2014 05:03am
@Sadam:
Really, Sadam????
What's next, cut hands for stealing a loaf of bread?
Recommend
0
Feb 22, 2014 08:09am
@Khanm:
Yeah, just like religious ideology, right Khanm?
Recommend
0
Feb 22, 2014 08:16am
Question: 1. The Muezzin makes his call very musically pleasing! Is that against Islam too?
2. Will qauwali be banned soon?
3. Is there military music for the soldiers to march on and fight? Will that be banned?
4. When will music be banned in private homes?
5. Will weddings be without music?
6. Does Pakistan have medicine for such sick people as "Tali ban EVERYTHING"?
Recommend
0
Feb 22, 2014 09:26pm
If statues can give you what you want, put millions of them in your house.
Recommend
0
Feb 22, 2014 09:29pm
@Raj:
Raja sahab is dreaming.
Recommend
0
Feb 23, 2014 06:28pm
@Khalid:
If a woman did it, did she have four witnesses? Because to complaint against man, she needs four women to counter one man's "intelligence".
Recommend
0
