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.

Mobile services were suspended in Karachi at 7 am in the morning and will be restored at 10 pm in the night.

Meanwhile, cellular services were shut down in Rawalpindi and Lahore at 9 am and 10 am, respectively, and the suspension will continue until 11 pm in the night.

Cell phone services were also suspended in Quetta and will be restored at 8 pm in the night.

Mobile services were shut down in the cities of Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat and Hangu at 8 am in the morning and will continue until 8 pm in the night.

In view of the sensitive security situation in Gilgit, services were suspended at 12 am midnight and will remain shut until 11 pm in the night today.

Meanwhile, troops have been deployed in several cities on the request of the federal and provincial governments.

Sindh’s interior ministry has also imposed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana, the province's four main cities.

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 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 or more than five persons has also been outlawed in the city.

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.