Pillion riding banned in Karachi, Islamabad ahead of New Year

• Ban in Karachi imposed from Dec 31 till New Year's morning.
• In Islamabad, ban enforced from 6pm on Dec 31 to 2am on Jan 1.
• Action to be taken against violators.

Ahead of New Year's Eve, Karachi and Islamabad’s district administration Friday imposed a ban on pillion riding.

Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon also imposed a complete ban on carrying and display of arms, aerial firing, firecrackers and pillion riding of motorcycles or scooters on New Year's Eve and the next day across the local limits of Karachi for two days starting on December 31 till the morning of January 1 with immediate effect.

Those found violating the ban in the metropolitan will be booked under section 188 PPC by the city’s police, as directed by the deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners.

“On this night, a large number of youngsters from different areas of the city will move to Seaview on motorcycles and cars, which create traffic jam and inconvenience to the residents of the area," the notification read.

The DIGP South Zone has requested that a ban under section 144 on "carrying and display of arms, aerial firing, firecrackers, pillion riding of motorcycle or scooter to safeguard the precious lives of the citizens".

The city administration also warned the public to avoid aerial firing which may cause “untoward incidents or loss of human lives” following which it has also enforced a ban on carrying and display of arms, aerial firing, firecrackers, pillion riding of motorcycles or scooters on New Year’s Eve in the metropolitan.

Meanwhile, in the federal capital, restriction on pillion riding will be implemented from 6pm on December 31, 2022 (Saturday) to 2am on January 1, 2023.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon notified the ban imposing section 144 across the capital city.

The district administration warned of action against those violating the ban.

Meanwhile, security measures in the federal capital have been tightened by the government after it decided to deploy an extra contingent of Islamabad Police and Frontier Corps on checkposts.

Police said that the deployment of 1,000 FC personnel has been done to assist the federal capital’s police.

“FC personnel will also be deployed at checkposts on 25 spots in Islamabad,” the capital city’s police stated.

It added that the e-checkposts have been set up at different locations across the federal capital in view of security and will be monitored through Safe City.

Islamabad Police said that the protection of the life and property of citizens is its first priority. It has asked the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

“Report any unusual activity immediately on Pukar Rescue 15,” the police added.

According to the notification, certain pillion riders may resort to violence and disrupt peace and tranquillity on New Year’s Eve in Islamabad.