KARACHI: The Sindh government on Wednesday imposed a ban on pillion riding for Muharram 9 and 10 to avoid any untoward incident and to maintain law and order in the province, said a notification.

Issued by the home department, the notification said that the ban was being imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

The ban, however, would not be applicable to women, children under the age of 12, senior citizens, journalists, law enforcement personnel in uniform as well as employees of essential services, it added.

In addition to pillion riding, the provincial government has also banned objectionable/provocative wall chalking, banners, posters and speeches for 10 days starting from first of Muharram under Section 144.

Aerial firing, carrying arms and taking out processions without permission of competent authorities have been prohibited while assembly of more than five people except for Muharram processions, majalis and tazia, has also been banned for the same period.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2020