KARACHI: Authorities on Wednesday deployed security in Karachi for the processions on Youm-i-Ali.
Apart from the ban on pillion riding, police contingents have been deployed at imambargahs, mosques and other sensitive places of the metropolis.
Around 5,572 policemen, with 72 police mobiles, 65 motorcycles, and eight vans, will perform duties in their respective areas of the provincial capital to maintain law and order situation. Top police officials have been asked to ensure strict monitoring of processions and rallies in different areas, according to media reports.
The procession will begin at 1 pm from Nishtar Park. From there it will move through Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, MA Jinnah Road, Mansfield Street, MA Jinnah Road, Boulton Market, Rampat Rai Road, Nawab Mahabat Khanjee Road, and culminate at the Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.
Earlier, the Sindh government on Monday issued a notification announcing a ban on pillion riding throughout the province on the eve of Youm-e-Ali.
The ban, that was put into place on Wednesday, has been imposed under Section 144 (6) of Criminal Procedure Code.
The notification was issued by Sindh Home Secretary Qazi Shahid Pervez, who said that additional inspector general (AIG) of police, Karachi, and deputy inspector general (DIG) of police, Hyderabad, had expressed security concerns in their letters to the government.
Citing security threats to the religious gatherings and processions that are taken out on Yaum-e-Ali, the AIG Karachi and DIG Hyderabad had requested the provincial government to impose a ban on pillion riding.
The ban is not applicable to women, children under the age of 12, elderly citizens, journalists, law enforcement agencies’ personnel in uniform as well as medics, firefighters and employees of rescue services.