Staff Reporter
The Punjab Home Department has banned motorcycle pillion riding in the province for two days in a bid to avoid any unpleasant incident during Muharram proceedings and gathering. According to a notification issued by Punjab Home Department, a ban on pillion riding has been imposed under Section 144 of code (PrPC) on 9th and 10th of Muharram.
However, children, senior citizens, females, government officials and journalist are exempted from the ban. Anyone found in violation of the ban will be prosecuted according to section 144, said the statement.
The ban has been imposed to ensure foolproof security during the processions and to avoid any untoward occurrence, the Home Department said in the notification.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the Director General Punjab Emergency Service (PES) Dr Rizwan Naseer reviewed arrangements for providing emergency cover to mourning processions of Muharram in all districts of Punjab.
Presiding over a meeting of senior rescue officers at the Rescue-1122 Headquarters on Monday, he reviewed arrangements for all districts and analysed working of district control rooms and provincial monitoring cell. In this regard, operational head Ayaz Aslam briefed the DG Rescue Punjab that all districts had prepared emergency plans for Muharram in accordance with the directions, issued by the government of Punjab.
As per emergency plans, over 11,000 rescuers will perform their duties from 1st to 10th of Muharram and districts have started implementation of the contingency plan to provide emergency cover to sensitive locations, identified in the District Emergency Board meetings. He said service will be on high alert during 9th & 10th of Muharram and will cover more than 1,000 processions/events.
The Head of Operations highlighted that overall 2,799 Muharram processions/ events will be provided emergency cover across Punjab with 600 motorbike ambulances, 763 emergency and patient transfer ambulances and 371 fire and rescue vehicles including specialised vehicles from 1st to 10th of Muharram in all districts of Punjab.
