ISLAMABAD: The 10-day ban imposed on pillion riding in the capital was lifted on Saturday, said the police.

The capital police had imposed the ban on pillion riding on Sept 11 as a part of its security arrangements put in place for Muharram majalis and processions.

During the 10 days, the police arrested over 400 motorcyclists for violating the ban in different parts of the capital.

A police officer said the number of violators was much higher across the capital even though the decision to ban pillion riding was publicised through the print and electronic media.

“After Muharram 5, the police got printed banners and displayed them at different roads, including in areas where the ban was being violated the most,” the officer stated. As a result, the number of people violating the ban reduced during the last three days.”

Over 400 people were apprehended for violating ban, police say

The officer said there was a possibility that the number of violations got reduced because people avoided moving around in the city and remained indoors because of the Ashura and weekend holidays.

He said 414 bike riders were arrested from different parts of the city over the violation of the ban. They were booked in 78 cases registered by the police.

The violation was mostly committed in Shahzad Town, Khanna and Kural. As many as 79 motorcyclists were arrested by the Shahzad Town police.

Likewise, 50 violators were caught by Khanna police, 36 by Kural police, 34 by Noon police and 30 by the Secretariat police.

The Sihala police put behind bars 28 motorcyclists, Nilor police 27 while the Tarnol police arrested 25 bike riders, Golra police 24, Shams Colony police 22 and Industrial Area and Loi Bher police caught 27 violators each.

Besides, the Kohsar police arrested 11, Sabzi Mandi eight, Bhara Kahu police four and Shalimar police two people for violating the ban.

An official of the capital administration said it was difficult to establish whether the violation was committed deliberately or the motorcyclists were unaware of the ban. The violators of the ban were produced before the area magistrates from where they were either sent to jail or fined and released.

Another officer told Dawn that the number of violators was much higher than stated by the police officially. There is a possibility that a number of violators were set free after being caught by the police without being punished.

“The situation is much serious and we sense that there is no respect for the law among a large number of people, especially the youth,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2018