Govt bans pillion riding & face coverings in public

QUETTA: Pillion riding on motorcycles and wearing a niqab or face covering in public places has been banned across the province.

According to details, the second notification in five days for the implementation of Section 144 has been issued across Balochistan.

In the notification issued by the Balochistan Home Department, pillion riding on motorcycles has been banned across the province, however, women and children will be exempted from this ban.

According to the notification, covering the face with a niqab, muffler or mask has also been banned in public places, in addition to this, the ban on displaying weapons, gatherings of five or more people and protests or sit-ins will also remain in effect. These measures will remain in effect until November 30.

Along with this, there will also be a complete ban on the movement of unregistered motorcycles, vehicles with tinted windows and explosives.

According to officials, these restrictions have been imposed after an amendment to the November 5 notification and Section 144 will remain in force across the province till November 30.

On the other hand, the Punjab government has also extended Section 144 by seven days, under which the restrictions will remain in force till November 15. Protests, rallies, processions, sit-ins and public gatherings have been banned across the province.

According to the Punjab Home Department, public gatherings of four or more people, display of weapons, use of loudspeakers and publication and distribution of sectarian or hateful material will be strictly prohibited. However, weddings, funerals and burial ceremonies will be exempted from these restrictions.

The government has clarified that these restrictions will not apply to government officials, law enforcement officials and judicial officers. The use of loudspeakers has been limited only to the call to prayer and Friday sermons.