KARACHI, Aug 19: Chief Justice Mushir Alam of the Sindh High Court on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the release of all violators of the ban on pillion riding on the eve of Eidul Fitr.

Official sources told Dawn that the SHC CJ took notice of the arrest of scores of pillion riders in the wake of the three-day ban imposed by the Sindh government in an attempt to stem the worsening law and order situation in the city. Old citizens, women, children and journalists were exempted from the ban.

They said Chief Justice Alam directed the magisterial authorities to visit every police station in their respective jurisdiction to ensure the release of every person held on charges of pillion riding to enable them to celebrate the religious festival with their relatives.

The sources said the chief justice directed the magistrates to release all arrested people on executing personal bonds or computerised national identity cards.

According to reports, more than 500 people had been arrested for pillion riding by Sunday evening.