KARACHI: As part of security measures, Pakistani authorities have partially suspended cellular networks in major cities across the South Asian country, where thousands of people have been participating in mourning processions during Ashura.
With the start of the Islamic month of Muharram, Shiite Muslims across Pakistan start holding gatherings and processions to pay homage to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and his companions. These gatherings varyingly last until the day of his martyrdom, the 10th of Muharram, which is also known as the ‘Day of Ashura.’
Pakistan’s telecom regulator, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), last week announced that mobile services would remain partially suspended in the country till the 10th of Muharram, July 29.
The decision to suspend the services came in accordance with the instructions issued by the Ministry of Interior to ensure stringent security measures for the mourning processions.
“It is requested that necessary action may kindly be taken for closure of mobile phone services during the procession of 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th Muharram ul Haram,” the Islamabad wrote in a letter to the PTA, specifying different areas.
The federal government also approved the deployment of armed forces to avoid any untoward incident in the country that has witnessed sectarian violence in the past.
To ensure public safety, the government in the southern Sindh province imposed a ban on pillion-riding on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, Friday and Saturday. The Sindh home department restricted the use of loudspeakers and prohibited the display of offensive posters, banners, distribution of flyers and wall-chalking.
A spokesperson for the Sindh police told Arab News that 4,698 police personnel had been deployed to ensure security during Muharram processions.
The security detail, he said, included senior officers, woman police personnel, commandos from the Special Security Unit (SSU) and members of the Rapid Response Force.
The SSU has also placed snipers along the routes of the main procession to eliminate any threats.
Similar measures have been taken major cities across the South Asian country, including Quetta, Sukkur, Multan, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Kohat as well as in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
