The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration has banned pillion riding, use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including drone cameras, and the sale of ‘toy guns’ in federal capital to ensure foolproof security during Muharram-ul-Harram.
The ban on pillion riding will be effective from September 27 to October 1 in the whole of Islamabad. These notifications were issued by the district magistrate on Thursday.
“Certain pillion riders are likely to resort to violence and acts of sabotage aimed at disrupting peace and tranquility causing damage to public life and property during Muharram-ul-Harram,” reads the notification.
It has been a routine for the administration to ban pillion riding around Ashura in the capital. While pillion-riding will remain prohibited for five days, the authorities have not decided whether to also suspend cellular service or not.
Similarly, the authorities have also banned the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) including drone cameras, terming them a security threat. “These UAVs can be used by miscreants to conduct terrorist acts in areas that have been secured and safeguarded against ground attacks. Any possible terrorist attack would jeopardise the security of the processions and religious gatherings like ongoing Muharram and Safar majalis/processions besides posing threat to residents of ICT,” the magistrate’s order said.
Use of UAVs by the law-enforcement agencies, however, is exempted from the ban, which will be effective for two months. The district magistrate has also imposed a ban on the sale of toy guns in Islamabad on the recommendation of the police. The order said that the toy guns which were being sold in some shopping malls could be a security risk for important personalities and diplomats in the capital.
It may be noted that besides this, the ICT administration on Thursday has also banned 11 sectarian agitators from speech and blocked 14 religious scholars to enter Islamabad for two months in order to keep peace during Muharram.
Moreover, as many as 12,000 personnel of Islamabad Police, Pakistan Rangers, and FC would perform security duties during Muharram, maintaining high vigilance to thwart any untoward incident.