DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Feb 3: District Police Officer Saeed Khan Wazir has appealed to the media to play its role in maintaining sectarian harmony during Muharram. He was speaking at a dinner he hosted for local journalists here on Wednesday.

The DPO said foolproof arrangements had been made to maintain peace and harmony during the month of Muharram. The Frontier Constabulary and the Frontier Corp would petrol the sensitive areas of the district and army troops would be on high alert, he said.

Meanwhile, the district nazim has imposed a ban on pillion riding under section 144 from 1st to 7th of Muharram and there will be complete ban on motorcycles from 8th to 10th of Muharram. Use of loudspeakers, wall chalking and playing of religious cassettes are also banned in the district.