Pillion riding ban, cellular service suspension part of Muharram security plan

In light of recommendations presented by law enforcement agencies, the Sindh government on Wednesday formally decided to ban pillion riding in the city from 8th to 10th Muharram, while also approving suspension of cellular services on the day of Ashura.

While the civilian law enforcement and paramilitary forces have been tasked with all security duties, it was decided that the Pakistan Army would be available on call throughout the last three days.

A decision to this effect was taken at a Muharram security meeting of top law enforcement and government officials chaired by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Approving the ban on pillion riding and directing the home department to coordinate with federal authorities regarding suspension of cellular and internet services, the CM said, “I have never, personally, been in favour of such bans and suspensions, but the decision had to be taken since this is a pressing security requirement,“ he said.

The meeting participants were informed that deployment of police and Rangers near locations of majalis and processions had been finalised. Scouts and volunteers, it was said, have also been imparted special trainings on body checks and vigilance.

Installation of walkthrough gates, however, was yet to be completed, while the blockades for sealing off sensitive exit and entry points would be set up in due course.

The chief minister urged law enforcers to ensure vigilance even in areas which were not traditional hotspots for Muharram related activities.

Counterterrorism efforts

Law enforcement officials told the meeting participants that both police and Rangers had started conducting targeted operations in different areas of the city, particularly the outskirts and slum localities.

It was said that several significant arrests were made in these operations, and the information garnered from the apprehended suspects proved invaluable in drawing up and revising security plans for Muharram.

Apart from on-ground counterterrorism efforts, local authorities have also engaged local representatives, particularly ulemas of all sects, in the consultative process for the security plan. Communication with all these local stakeholders would continue till the 10th of Muharram.

Utilities 

The CM directed the chief secretary to coordinate with all power distribution companies to ensure minimal outages over the first 10 days of Muharram.

He added that the utilities must make sure that all streetlights were in working order, while also calling of the water boards to deploy dedicated teams to manage supply and sanitation affairs.

The meeting participants included the CM’s advisers Moula Bux Chandio, Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant Syed Ghulam Shah, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, IG AD Khowaja, Additional IGs Mushtaq Mehar and Sanaullah Abbasi, Home Secretary Riaz Soomro, Commissioner Aijaz Ali Khan.