KARACHI: The Sindh government on Wednesday imposed a ban on pillion-riding in Karachi on the advice of the city police who asked for it in the wake of a recent surge in sectarian killings.

A statement issued by the Sindh information department said the ban would become effective early Thursday morning and would remain in force till Sept 19.

“The home department has imposed a complete ban on pillion-riding of motorcycles and scooters under Section 144 of the criminal procedure code for a period of nine days with effect from Sept 11 to 19 in Karachi division,” it said.

“The ban shall not be applicable to women, children below the age of 12 years, senior citizens, journalists, personnel of law enforcement and security agencies in uniform and employees of the essential services,” it said.

The Karachi police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo said the proposal for the ban was forwarded to the home department on the basis of findings of a preliminary probe into recent killings which suggested attackers were using motorcycles as a preferred mode of transport.

“Considering the inconvenience being caused to the public, we have proposed that the ban remain in force for a limited number of days.”

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2014