KARACHI: Cell phone services have been suspended in 22 cities of Pakistan Tuesday as a security measure during the observance of Chehlum, DawnNews reported.
Earlier, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had directed officials to restrict mobile phone services in most parts of the country. Cellular and wireless services will remain shut until 7 pm today.
Meanwhile, arrangements for strict security measures have been made in major cities of the country. An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman had said 10,000 army men would be working with the civil administration for the maintenance of law and order.
The troop deployment has been made on the request of the federal and provincial governments.
Sources said that additional contingents of Rangers would also be on standby in cities declared most sensitive.
Troop deployment, along with armored vehicles, had commenced in major cities of the country, including Karachi and Rawalpindi.
Sindh’s interior ministry has also imposed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana, the province's four main cities.
In sensitive areas of Sindh, contingents of Pakistan’s armed forces would also be on standby to assist authorities in maintaining the law and order situation.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Rangers director general to ensure foolproof security during today’s processions.
He asked them to increase patrolling on the main arteries, streets and especially take all-out measures to secure mosques, Imambargahs and routes of mourning processions.
“The intelligence network should be activated effectively, snap checking of vehicles including at the entry and exit points of the metropolis be carried out without fail,” Shah had said.
The chief minister made a public request to cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
In Rawalpindi, pillion riding has been banned for the occasion.
Moreover, apart from the Chehlum procession, congregation of five of more than five persons has also been outlawed in the city.
A strict adherence to the ban on the use of loudspeakers would also be implemented, authorities announced.
Law enforcers would conduct strict checking at all entry and exit points of the city, whereas a ban has also been imposed on carrying weapons.
At least 5,000 policemen and three companies of the army and another ten of the Rangers would be deployed for security along the main procession route in Rawalpindi.
Moreover, around 300 hidden cameras have also been installed along the route in the city.
Barricades have also been setup in various areas of the city through which the processions would pass, whereas hotels and rest houses along the route have been closed down.
The city was put on high security alert and policemen were deployed to scan the areas adjoining the procession route.
Two Chehlum processions would pass through Peshawar, whereas security was beefed up and barb wire barricades were set up in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's provincial capital for Chehlum of the Prophet (PBUH)’s grandson.
Members of the Imamia Scouts would also participate in security duties on the occasion.
Similarly, Section 144 was imposed in KP's Nowshera district whereas the administration issued instructions for strict vigilance of Afghan refugee camps in the region.