Punjab govt bans pillion riding on 9th, 10th Muharram

Lahore: The Punjab government has imposed a ban on pillion riding across the province on 9th and 10th of Muharram.

A meeting was held under the chair of Punjab Chief Minister Ch Pervaiz Elahi on Sunday. The meeting approved a fool-proof security plan for Ashura. 

There will be a ban on pillion riding in Punjab on 9th and 10th of Muharram. It has also been decided to suspend the mobile service on the routes of Muharram processions during these two days. 

Chief Minister Elahi directed the provincial ministers and special assistants to monitor the Muharram security arrangements themselves. 

On Saturday, the Islamabad administration imposed Section 144 in the federal capital also banning pillion riding on 9th and 10th of Muharram.

The Islamabad Deputy Commissioner said that violators would be dealt with an iron hand. The DC urged people to cooperate with the Islamabad administration and the police.

On Friday, the Sindh government announced a six-day ban on pillion riding across the province to avoid any untoward situation during Muharram-ul-Haram.

According to the notification, the ban will come into place on August 5 and end on August 10 (Muharram 6-12) under Section 144 to maintain peace and control the law and order situation.

Those exempt from the ban include journalists, persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, security institutions personnel, and children, the notification read.

Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a two-day public holiday on August 8-9 on the eve of Ashura (9th and 10th of Muharram).

According to a notification issued by the government, the federal cabinet approved a two-day holiday on account of Ashura. All private and government offices, educational institutes, businesses, and other activities would remain closed.

The holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, marking the beginning of the new Islamic year, 1444 AH, started on July 31. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has strictly advised the mourners to make sure of the SOPs amid the recent Covid-19 surge. The NIH has made wearing masks, social distancing, and other precautionary measures compulsory.