The Sindh government’s decision to ban pillion riding during Eid holidays in the city has received opposition from political parties and citizens who consider this move an attempt to deprive people of enjoying Eid festivities, however, the home department officials consider it a necessary step to ensure peace in the metropolis.
Mohammad Amir, who came to Tariq Road along with his friends, expressed his anger over the ban saying it had created problems in Eid shopping with friends and family members.
The citizens in Karachi felt threatened while going out of their homes in routine days and the government had intensified their miseries on the occasion of Eid and deprived them of going out with friends and family by imposing ban on pillion riding, he said.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) members of Sindh Assembly criticised the government ban and demanded immediate withdrawal of it. The MQM leaders said a large number of citizens used pillion riding for Eid shopping and other works.
In a joint statement, they said people’s difficulties would increase with the ban on pillion riding, especially on Eid days.
The MQM members demanded of Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and acting inspector general police to reconsider their decision of slapping pillion riding ban in Karachi as a relief to the citizens on the happy occasion of Eid.
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also rejected the ban and said on one hand the law enforcement agencies had failed to control law and order while on the other hand they were receiving hefty bribes from citizens, he blamed.
He alleged that the Eidi collection campaign of police was on the rise in the city while traffic police officials were also involved in collecting money from taxis, rickshaws, buses and coaches.
PTI MPA Khurram Sher Zaman decried the pillion riding ban and said the government was ill-concerned to providing an opportunity to the citizens to enjoy Eid festivities. He said killings in the city were on the rise despite these bans, adding the PPP which labelled itself as the party of people should lift this ban immediately.
Talking to PPI, spokesman for Home Secretary Sindh Iqbal Ahmed said: “First priority of the government is to ensure law and order in the city during Eid celebrations. We know these steps irk people but we could not withdraw them.”
He said there were terror threats in the city due to ongoing military operation in North Waziristan and the provincial government did not want to provide any space to terrorists to strike the Eid festivities.
