KARACHI - The Sindh Home Department on Saturday issued a notification, announcing a ban on pillion riding across Karachi and Hyderabad from June 26 till June 28.

The ban is being imposed keeping in view the law and order situation. According to the notification, ban on pillion riding will also be imposed on the occasion of Youm-e-Ali (RA). The ban will not be applicable to women, people with disabilities, elderly people, journalists and children under the age of 12. Karachi, a city of 20 million and Pakistan‘s economic hub, is frequently hit by religious, political and ethnic violence. Paramilitary forces began a sweeping crackdown on militants in the city in 2013, which has led to a substantial drop in overall levels of violence.

Separately, Karachi police rounded up five suspects including two absconders. The police carried out a search operation in Manghopir and apprehended two suspects identified as Saeed and Safeer and recovered two TT pistols from them. The police said that the suspects would carry out robberies in Pukhtunabad, Sultanabad, Sohrab Ghot areas.

Meanwhile, the police conducted a search operation in Mominabad and arrested street criminal Shakir and two absconders Rafeh, Sami. The police have registered cases and started investigations.

Meanwhile, a man was killed by robbers after he resisted them in Rehmania Mor in North Karachi.

Khawaja Ajmeer Nagar police said that Liaquat, 32, was returning home from work on a motorcycle when two robbers waylaid him at a traffic signal and demanded money. When he resisted them, the robbers opened fire on him and killed him on the spot. According to the police, the deceased, a labourer by profession, hailed from Punjab. The police have registered a case and started investigation.