LAHORE MIRROR — The authorities in Pakistan have taken measures to ensure public safety by suspending mobile services in several regions of Pakistan during the Ashura observance for averting any untoward incident.
The Ministry of Interior in Islamabad has instructed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend mobile services not only on Muharram 9 and 10 but also on Muharram 11.
On Muharram 9, mobile services will be suspended from 1 pm to 10 pm in sectors G6 and G7, and in Sector 10-I and nearby areas, the suspension will be in effect from 6 pm to 6 am the next day.
Similarly, on Muharram 11, mobile phone services will be unavailable in Shah Allah Ditta from 2 am to 7 pm, and in the areas around Noorpur Shahan/Bari Imam, services will be blocked from 12 pm to 7 pm.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mobile services will remain suspended in 14 districts, including Sadar, Pishtakhara, Hassan Ghari, inner city Peshawar, Mardan, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohat, Hangu, and Bannu, until 10 pm.
In the capital of Balochistan, Quetta, mobile services will be suspended on Muharram 9 and 10 to ensure a peaceful environment. Additionally, the provincial government has imposed a ban on pillion riding in Quetta division from Muharram 1 to Muharram 12 (until July 31).
The PTA also announced a partial suspension of mobile services in some areas of Karachi until Muharram 10 (July 29), with the suspensions starting on Muharram 8.
To further enhance security measures, pillion riding has been banned in Lahore and Sindh during the Ashura observance. However, landline and cable net services will remain unaffected during this period.
These decisions have been made with the objective of maintaining public safety and preventing any potential disturbances during the solemn occasion of Ashura. Authorities are taking necessary precautions to ensure a peaceful environment for the community to observe the significant religious event.
