KARACHI: The Sindh government Friday announced a ban on pillion riding across the province to avoid any unforeseen incident during Muharram gatherings.

The ban will come into place on August 5 and end on August 10 (Muharram 6-12), a notification from the Sindh Home Department said, with some people exempt from the ban.

It will not be applicable to journalists, persons with disabilities, the elderly, women, security institutions personnel and children, the notification read.

“…the Government of Sindh is satisfied that in order to maintain law and order situation throughout the province of Sindh and to avoid any untoward incident/mishap, it is necessary to take immediate measures,” the notification said.

The ban has been placed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and action will be taken against violators, the notification warned.

The federal government has announced a two-day holiday on account of Ashura (Muharram 9-10 or August 8-9), while banks will also remain closed during the same days.

The provincial governments and district administrations beef up security during the month to ensure no unforeseen incident takes place and religious activities are carried out safely.