ISLAMABAD: The district magistrate banned a number of activities in the federal capital including the selling of toy guns, pillion riding and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as part of security measures for the month of Muharram.

Pillion riding will be banned in the capital city for five days between Sept 27 and Oct 1 or Muharram 6 to Muharram 10, according to officials of the local administration.

The order was issued from the office of the District Magistrate retired Capt Mushtaq Ahmed. The order said there were sufficient grounds for proceedings to prohibit pillion riding in order to avoid any threat to public peace and tranquillity in the capital and to provide protection to public life and property.

A ban was also imposed on UAVs for two months as they can be used by miscreants in terrorist attacks in areas that have been safeguarded against ground attacks, the order says and that such attacks will jeopardise the security of the Muharram procession and other religious gatherings and will also pose a threat to sensitive installations.

The selling of toy guns has been prohibited for two months after complaints were lodged with the police by various stakeholders including parliamentarians that toy guns look like real guns and cause fear.

The police and capital administration had verbally told shopkeepers not to sell toy guns which they ignored and a ban was therefore imposed on the selling of toy guns after a request was made by the police.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2017