Mobile phone service suspension, pillion riding ban for Youm-i-Ali in Lahore

LAHORE: Pillion riding has been banned and the mobile phone service will also be suspended in the provincial capital on Monday to ensure law and order on the occasion of the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (AS) and the arrival of the Chinese Vice-President Wang Qishan.

Earlier, the provincial government had banned pillion riding in Lahore for two days on Saturday because of security concerns on the occasion.

The main procession to mark Youm-i-Ali (AS) will be taken out from Mochi Gate to Karbala Gamey Shah outside the Bhatti Gate. It will pass through different localities of the Walled City.

IG orders video recording of bus passengers

Officials on Sunday said the arrival of the Chinese vice-president warranted additional security measures. And, therefore, mobile telephone service would also remain suspended in the city, especially in the downtown on Monday.

Meanwhile, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) retired Capt Arif Nawaz Khan on Sunday issued a notification to all regional, city and district police officers for making more effective security arrangements for Youm-i-Ali processions in the province.

He said all DPOs should be in field to improve security arrangements and patrolling of sensitive worship places and important buildings.

He ordered checking and video recording of the bus passengers entering Punjab from other provinces and maintaining an archive of their data.

He directed senior police officers that the process of checking should be tightened near exit and entrance points of the province and districts, especially at check posts on rivers.

The IG ordered that it should be also ensured that no dubious person or vehicle should be allowed to enter Punjab, whereas the DPOs of Bhakar, Mianwali and Attock should monitor the process of video recording of passengers entering their districts.

He directed all RPOs to ensure that all data of passengers entering their regions should be made a part of the record.

He said the record of the movement of passengers should be saved so that police might trace wanted persons if needed.

The IG said it was the responsibility of Lahore capital city police officer (CCPO) to ensure video recording of passengers entering the city, designating spots for the purpose so that traffic flow might not be disturbed.

He ordered all DPOs to submit list of places of recording points to operations branch at the Central Police Office, Lahore, till Monday (today).