Mobile phone services turned off in 48 cities

ISLAMABAD/QUETTA: In a bid to avert terror attacks on Ashura congregations/processions, the government suspended mobile phone services in 48 cities across Pakistan for the 9th and 10th of Muharram – starting on Saturday, according to a private TV channel. The services remained open in Peshawar after the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department informed the federal government they were confident of their security arrangements. The decision to suspend mobile phone services in the country was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Friday to review security measures for a peaceful Ashura. Talking to the media after the meeting, Malik feared more terrorist attacks during Ashura. He said phone services in some sensitive cities were partially and fully suspended on 8th of Muharram to avoid any untoward incidents. It was also decided that PTCL service would remain closed in FATA during 9th and 10th Muharram. Malik said along with suspension of cell phone services, wireless telephone network services would also be suspended. All mobile and wireless phone services were suspended in 10 districts of Balochistan, including Quetta. Motorbike riding was also banned in the city while police and other law enforcement agencies fined dozens for violating the ban. According to a notification of the Balochistan government, motorbike riding would remain banned on Sunday also from 7am to midnight. Malik also took notice of a cellular company that did not suspend its services in several areas of Rawalpindi and Dera Ismail Khan. agencies/staff report

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