ISLAMABAD: Mobile phone services will be suspended in several cities and districts of the country on Tuesday, in line with the government’s security plan for Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said on Monday.
In a statement the PTI said that services of all cellphone companies will be suspended in 31 cities throughout the country including Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore.
More than 10‚000 troops of Pakistan army will assist civil administration for maintenance of law and order throughout the country on the occasion of Chehlum.
Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi administration has imposed section 144 and a ban on pillion riding in Rawalpindi on the occasion of Chehlum. The ban on pillion riding has taken effect from today and will last till tomorrow.
On Sunday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in a high level meeting in Islamabad ordered foolproof security on the occasion of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).
The interior minister also directed for aerial surveillance of sensitive areas on the occasion. He said that intelligence agencies and civil armed forces were providing full support to the provinces.
Moreover, he directed the Islamabad inspector general to ensure increased vigilance in all parts of the federal capital and said that a Rapid Response Force would be formed for Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which would also have the support of Rangers. He said that any act of violence would be dealt with an iron hand.
