In a bid to avoid any untoward incident, the Sindh government has imposed a ban on pillion riding across the province, including Karachi, on the eve of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).

The Sindh Home Department, on the request of IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon, has imposed a ban on pillion riding in various districts of the province due to Chehlum processions scheduled for August 26.

Officials said the provincial police chief vide a letter dated August 8 has recommended imposing a ban on pillion riding throughout the province as per following dates and times for peaceful conduct of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) to avoid any untoward incident.

The ban will be imposed in the South Range of Karachi from August 25 till 27, in East Range on August 26, while in the West Range of the Karachi Police from August 25 and 26.

In Hyderabad and Thatta districts, the ban will be imposed from August 25 and 26, in the Mirpurkhas district it will be in effect from August 26 till 27. Moreover, the pillion riding ban will be imposed in the entire district of Shaheed Benazirabad and Sanghar on August 26. In the Sukkur Range, it will be imposed from August24 to 26, in District Khairpur from August 24 till 29, and in Ghotki on August 26.

In the Larkana Range, the ban will be imposed in District Larkana on August 26, and from August 25 till 26 in the districts of Kamber, Jacobabad and Kashmore.

In addition to this, the provincial government also banned the use of drones, citing security concerns during the Chehlum.

The Chehlum will be observed on Monday across the province with religious zeal and reverence amid high security.

The event marks the culmination of a 40-day mourning period after the martyrdom date of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his 72 companions in the Battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram in 680AD.

Mourning processions with Alam, Tazia, and Zuljinah would be taken out in different cities across the province.