LAHORE, October 15: The city police request to the federal government through the home department for the suspension of cellular service on first day of Eidul Azha for four hours due to security reasons was rejected on Tuesday.

The request was made by the police officials for the suspension of the service from 6am to 10am.

DIG Operations Rai Tahir told Dawn the home department had first sought suggestions from the city police for the suspension of the cellular service. In response to it the police department had sent its request, he said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, however, ruled out suspension of cell phone services on Eid.

In a statement, the interior minister said that the mobile phone service will not be suspended despite security threat.

The DIG said strict security arrangements had been made for 3,400 places of Eid congregations in the city.