KARACHI: The Sindh government on Thursday decided to suspend mobile phone services and internet providing devices across the city on Ashura besides placing a ban on pillion riding from Muharram 8th to 10th.

The decision was taken by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while presiding over a meeting held at CM House to finalise security arrangements and contingency plans during Muharram.

The meeting was informed that the deployment of police and the Rangers had been finalised in the areas designated for Majalis and processions, while army troops would be on standby. Walkthrough security gates would be installed at the main entry points while all other exit and entry points would be sealed, according to the security plan. Scouts and volunteers had already been imparted training for snap checking.

The meeting was informed that the Rangers and police arrested some key ‘terrorists’ during the targeted operations in different neighbourhoods particularly slum areas and on the fringes of the city. The security plan, the officials said, was made while taking into account the information given by the held suspects.


Three-day ban on pillion riding on recommendation of law enforcement agencies


The Rangers, police and local administration involved councillors and representatives of various sects in the process to maintain peace during Muharram.The chief minister called for preparedness not only for the security on Ashura but during all the first 10 days of Muharram. He asked the law enforcement agencies to also be vigilant in those areas which were normally not covered during Muharram.

On the recommendation of law enforcement agencies, Mr Shah placed a ban on pillion riding on 8th, 9th, and 10th day of Muharram. He asked the home ministry to coordinate with the federal government for suspension of mobile phone service and internet providing devices on Ashura.

“Personally, I am against the imposition of ban on pillion riding and suspension of mobile service, but we have no other choice but to go for it; that’s why I am taking this decision,” he said.Mr Shah asked the chief secretary to coordinate with power distribution companies to refrain from load-shedding particularly in areas where Majalis were planned during the first 10 days of Muharram. He said street lights should be in order and necessary coordination with other agencies including cantonment boards and Defence Housing Authority be ensured.

He asked the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Hyderabad to keep drainage system functional and ensure smooth supply of water to citizens.

The chief minister asked the local governments and divisional commissioners to repair streets en route scheduled processions.

Offer to Chinese investors

The Sindh chief minister on the 67th founding day of the People’s Republic of China said Sindh had offered Chinese investors all kind of opportunities that would prove to be a win-win proposition for the two sides.

He was sharing these views at a reception hosted by the consul general of People’s Republic of China, Wang Yu. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, Senator Saeed Ghani, and members of the diplomatic corps, politicians and businessmen attended the programme.

Mr Shah said he offered the Chinese to exploit and make investment in alternative energy, minerals and coastal development, power plants, road construction projects and development of the proposed port at Keti Bunder.

He said solid foundation of Pakistan-China friendship was laid by PPP founding chairman and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The relationship was further strengthened with the efforts of Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari.

Congratulating the Chinese leadership and the people on the founding day, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said Pakistan and China were good neighbours and friends who always supported each other at the global level.

Highlighting importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the governor said it would be a game-changer that would bring enormous benefits for Pakistan, the regional countries and beyond. He said some countries were against the CPEC, but it was Pakistan’s unwavering resolve to make it a success story.

Mr Wang Yu said China had gone through great transformation that brought enormous improvement over decades. “It was the hard work of Chinese leadership and Chinese people that we are the second largest economy in the world, our GDP is over six per cent,” he said, adding all that became possible because of economic reforms.

Terming China and Pakistan “iron brothers”, the Chinese consul general said relationship between the two nations withstood testing times.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2016

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...