KARACHI : The Sindh government has extended the enforcement of Section 144 across the province for an additional month, citing ongoing law-and-order concerns, while simultaneously recommending a ban on motorcycle pillion riding as part of security arrangements for the Chehlum of Imam Hussain (AS).
The Sindh Home Department issued a formal notification stating that Section 144 will remain in force from August 1, 2026. Under the extended restrictions, bans on wall chalking, protests, sit-ins, rallies, and public demonstrations will continue across the province. The prohibition on displaying and brandishing weapons in public places has also been renewed for one month, though guards of private security companies will be exempted and allowed to carry weapons while actively on duty. Authorities have warned that legal action will be taken against anyone found violating the directive.
In a separate development, the Sindh Home Department has sent an official letter to the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh Police, recommending a temporary ban on pillion riding on motorcycles due to heightened security threats during the Chehlum observance. According to the letter, the ban is proposed across various districts of Sindh from the 18th to the 21st [of the Islamic month], while in Karachi’s Central, West, East, Malir, and South zones, the restriction has been specifically suggested from the 19th to the 21st.
The recommended ban covers districts falling under the divisions of Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Benazirabad. The Sindh Home Department has delegated final authority to all divisional commissioners, empowering them to enforce the pillion riding ban in their respective jurisdictions based on a real-time assessment of local law-and-order conditions.
Official confirmations regarding the final implementation of the pillion ban are expected following the IG Sindh’s review and subsequent directives to district administrations.
