ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) announced that cellular services will remain suspended in Sindh today, Monday, to maintain law and order as thousands of Shi’ite Muslims are expected to take part in mourning processions across the southern province.
With the start of the Islamic month of Muharram each year, Shi’ite Muslims across Pakistan hold 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.’
Shi’ite Muslims also hold religious gatherings and processions in many parts of the country on the 40th day after Ashura, also known as “Chehlum,” to pay tribute to Hussain for laying down his life to uphold Islamic principles.
“It is to inform the general public that on the directions of the Ministry of Interior Government of Pakistan, voice and data services will remain suspended in Karachi and interior Sindh including Khairpur, Hyderabad Larkana, Sukkur and Shikarpur on 26 August 2024 with immediate effect,” the PTA said in a press release.
It added that the decision had been taken to maintain law and order in the province on the occasion of the Chehlum.
Every year, authorities beef up security and suspend cellular services ahead of Muharram and Chehlum processions in areas that have witnessed sectarian violence in the past. Pakistan has witnessed violent attacks targeting Shi’ite Muslims in the past that have stoked sectarian tensions in the country.
In December 2009, a suicide bomber killed 43 people in Karachi during Muharram. Three years later in 2012, 23 people were killed in another suicide attack that targeted a Muharram procession, injuring 62 others in Pakistan’s garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Pakistan suspends cellular services in Sindh ahead of mourning processions today
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Pakistan suspends cellular services in Sindh ahead of mourning processions today
- Thousands of Shiite Muslims will organize religious processions today to mark 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom of Imam Hussain
- Pakistan Telecommunication Authority says decision to suspend cellular services taken to maintain law and order in Sindh province
Pakistan parliament demands national response against ‘external sponsors’ of terror after Balochistan attacks
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Assembly adopted a resolution on Tuesday condemning recent militant attacks in the southwestern Balochistan province, calling for an immediate national response against “external sponsors” of terror in the country.
Separatist militants launched coordinated gun and bomb attacks across multiple districts in Balochistan on Friday and Saturday, targeting security installations and government facilities. Pakistan’s State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudry said 50 people were killed in the attacks, which included 33 civilians and 17 law enforcement personnel. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s state media said on Monday that security forces have killed 177 militants since Friday.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said last week that the militant attacks, which were claimed by the separatist Baloch Liberation Army, were planned by India. New Delhi denied the allegations as “baseless,” saying it was an attempt by Islamabad to deflect from its internal failings. Pakistan regularly accuses India of funding militants in its Balochistan and northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, charges New Delhi has always denied.
The resolution, tabled by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said that in several militant attacks, evidence has shed light on the “external patronage” of militants and drawn attention to “serious concerns, particularly regarding the role of India.”
“This house demands that an immediate, comprehensive, coordinated and multi-dimensional national response be ensured against these external sponsors and internal facilitators, including funding, smuggling, and propaganda networks, bringing together the political, diplomatic, military, intelligence, legal and narrative fronts,” a copy of the resolution seen by Arab News stated.
The resolution said “terrorism” in Pakistan is being facilitated through logistical and operational support, financial assistance, training, medical treatment and propaganda networks by certain neighboring countries.
It expressed solidarity with the victims and relatives of the Balochistan attacks, praising Pakistan’s security forces for taking effective action against militants. The resolution also expressed concern over militant networks using women in the attacks.
“This house expresses profound grief, sorrow, and concern over the fact that terrorist networks are attempting to exploit women and use them against the state and society through coercion, psychological pressure and blackmail,” it said.
The resolution called for national unity and rising above political differences. It vowed that the state will not compromise on the protection of its people and national security.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by land area, has long been gripped by a separatist insurgency that has intensified in recent years. Militants frequently target security forces, government officials, infrastructure projects, foreigners and non-local workers in the area.
Balochistan is home to vast reserves of minerals and hydrocarbons, and also to the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Separatist militant groups such as the BLA blame Islamabad for exploiting Balochistan’s natural resources and denying locals a share in them. The military and civilian government reject these allegations and say they are investing in the province’s development.
