KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced imposition of a ban on pillion-riding, use of loudspeakers, making/carrying/processing of provocative speeches or their audio-visual material to incite sectarian hatred and assembly of more than five persons, except for the Eid-i-Milad congregations and Chup Tazia processions, from the 1st to 20th of Rabiul Awwal (viz Nov 10 to 30) across Sindh under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The ban, however, would not be applicable to journalists, personnel of law-enforcement agencies, employees of essential services and private security guards of registered companies during their duty hours.

The additional DC in his letter No. DC/Reader/1861/2018 dated Nov 8, 2018 recommending imposition of the ban stressing the need for ensuring complete religious harmony during the Jashn-i-Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) “in view of the prevailing law & order situation and incidents of terrorism/bomb blasts all over the country and critical situation across the border”.

A notification issued in this regard by Home Secretary Abdul Kabir Kazi on Thursday (Nov 15) said that the ban was being imposed with effect from Nov 10 on the recommendation of the additional deputy commissioner of Hyderabad.

The notification said that all permissions issued by the home department to carry weapons in relaxation of the ban u/s 144 CrPC would remain suspended during the period.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2018