RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government has decided to suspend cellphone and wireless phone services in the areas surrounding the routes of Muharram 9 and 10 procession, Dawn has learnt.

The sources said the decision in this regard was taken in the light of the proposals of the law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

A senior official of an intelligence agency, on condition of anonymity, revealed that the provincial government had sought proposals from intelligence agencies regarding suspension of cellphone services.

He said after reviewing the security situation, they proposed to the government to suspend the service only in the areas where Majalis and the Muharram procession would be held.

The sources said after reviewing the proposals, the government agreed to suspend cell phone service in ‘limited areas’.

The security official said if main procession of Muharram was brought out in Rawalpindi city, the cellphone service would be suspended only in the surrounding areas of the route.

On the other hand, the police have tightened security around several senior politicians, including Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, chairman Awami Muslim League and Hamid Ali Mosvi, chief of Tehrik-i-Nafaz-i-Fiqh-i-Jafria (TNFJ) in the light of intelligence that terror group might target them during Muharram, security sources said.

The Punjab provincial government had already announced security high alert during Muharram and directed the divisional chiefs to take all possible measures to ensure peace.

It provided 13 reserves (each comprising 20 personnel) against the demand of 40 to the Rawalpindi district police.

However, when the city police officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana was contacted, he said a foolproof security plan had been chalked out to ensure peace during Muharram.

For the first time, “three security cordons” will cover the procession and deployment of police will be made by their names.