LAHORE - The provincial government is planning to ban pillion riding in Lahore during Ashura while the cellular phone services will be suspended in some parts of the metropolis.

Official sources yesterday told The Nation said that the police department had proposed a complete ban on pillion riding on the 9the and 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram. The Lahore district coordination officer notified the ban for today and tomorrow.

A police spokesman said that the police would ensure complete ban on pillion riding throughout the provincial capital. “The violators will be arrested and their bikes will be impounded as per law,” the spokesman added. The city traffic police have also constituted special teams to implement a complete ban on pillion riding.

DIG VISITS PROCESSION ROUTE

Lahore DIG (Operations) Dr Haider Ashraf yesterday visited the route of the central procession to review security arrangements for the mourners. The officer visited Islampura’s Pando Street to check security deployment for the procession of 9th Muharram-ul-Haram.

The DIG while talking to reporters on this occasion said that the city police were implementing a comprehensive security strategy to protect mourners. He said that the participants of processions and Majalis would be provided three-layer security.

Haider Ashraf said that all Muharram processions were being monitored through CCTV cameras while security was intensified at the entry and exit points of the metropolis. Similarly, sharp-shooters will be deployed on the rooftop of high-rise buildings alongside the route of the main procession.

In Lahore, strict security measures have been put in place to provide protection to the mourners during Muharram processions. Thousands of police are deployed to across the city to maintain peace and law and order. Pakistan Army and Rangers personnel will remain on standby during Ashura. According to the security plan, around 17,000 security personnel will perform security duties in the metropolis on Ashura.