Pillion riding banned in Peshawar

* Ban imposed as part of police security plan for Muharram

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: The Capital City Police (CCP) has banned pillion riding, graffiti and the distribution of pamphlets as part of a comprehensive security plan for Muharram-ul-Harram. Meanwhile, security was also beefed up in Karachi.

Dr Ishtiaq Marwat, acting chief of Capital City Police, while briefing journalists about the security plan on Tuesday, said that the city police will beef up security in Peshawar to avoid any incidents and for this purpose the police special branch, Intelligence Bureau, fire brigade, civil defence, bomb disposal squad and the emergency wards of hospitals have been put on high alert. Policemen will be deployed around mosques and key places throughout the city.

Dr Marwat said the CCP has also established four command posts in Kohati Gate, Gulbahar, Chowk Shahbaz and East Cantt area with the Kohati Gate command post supervising the latter three. The purpose of establishing command posts is to serve the general public and redress grievances on the spot, he added.

In Peshawar, police and law enforcement agencies will be deployed at more than 150 important buildings, roads, bus stands, five-star hotels, parking lots and residences of diplomats.

“The 67 imambargahs inside the city will be provided with six policemen each,” said Dr Marwat.

Talking about the pillion riding ban, Dr Marwat said the police would not unnecessarily harass women and students riding on motorcycles. He said that all markets and bazaars would remain open during Muharram. Patrolling of sensitive areas would be enhanced, he added.

Instructions were given to hotel management to check cars before allowing their entry to parking lots, he said. “The owners of hotels, inns and the general public have been requested to keep in touch with the central command post and inform them about any suspicious elements,” he added. Dr Marwat said that video shops and cinema owners had voluntarily decided to close their businesses during the first 10 days of Muharram.

When asked about liaison between Shia and Sunni clerics, Dr Marwat said that they would meet with police officials during Muharram and peace committees would also help promote religious harmony.

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