KARACHI, Nov 15: The Sindh government on Thursday imposed a ban on wall-chalking, hate literature and speeches against religious personalities in the province in line with Muharram security arrangements a few days after it imposed a ban on rallies and public meetings, excluding mourning processions.

An official said that the ban was imposed under Section 144 (power to issue order absolute at once in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), under which wall-chalking containing controversial, hate generating material, sacrilege to holy personalities of Islam throughout the province of Sindh had been banned.

“The ban has been imposed to avert any mishap and to maintain law and order during the month of Muharram in public interest,” said the official.

“The police officers from the rank of assistant sub-inspector of police stations concerned are authorised to register complaints under Section 188 [disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant] of the Pakistan Penal Code in writing for the violation of the order.”

Only on Monday the government imposed a ban on processions, rallies and public gatherings under the same section of the CrPC. The previous ban, however, will not affect mourning processions of Muharram, which are already allowed by the home department.

Similarly, last week the provincial authorities placed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi and Khairpur as part of its security measures ahead of the holy month till 11th of Muharram.