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KARACHI: The Sindh government has approved a request of the police calling for the suspension of mobile phone services in Karachi on Saturday as Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari prepares to address a rally at a ground close to the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in the provincial capital tomorrow.
The provincial police has requested the suspension of mobile phone services in other parts of Sindh as well. However, no approval has come from the provincial government in that regard.
The police had made the request in the light of tomorrow's public meeting in Karachi and has requested the government to also order the suspension of cell phone services in other parts of Sindh in order to prevent untoward incidents from occurring.
Also read: Oct 18 political show likely to paralyse city life
Karachi's traffic system is also likely to suffer serious issues on Oct 18 when the PPP stages the rally for which it has hired 3,000 city buses while police authorities have banned movement of heavy vehicles that day, ‘advising’ transporters to take alternative routes.
The PPP’s plan to reinvigorate the party through the rally is being seen as a major response to a series of public gatherings and sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which recently staged a successful political show in Karachi, as well as those held by the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).
The ruling party in Sindh expects the rally under its young chairman Bilawal to mobilise its workers in Karachi and other parts of the province.
Sindh govt announces public holiday for Saturday
Meanwhile, the provincial government of Sindh has announced a public holiday on October 18 on account of Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s annual Urs.
All examinations scheduled for tomorrow at the Karachi University have been postponed and a later date of examination would be announced later.
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On DawnNews
Comments (56) Closed
Oct 17, 2014 02:06pm
This is outrageous! How can the authorities deprive ordinary citizens of fundamental rights in order to facilitate a political activity by one political party. Businesses are already affected. emergency services are being diverted, state resources are illegally used. The entire city is going to be paralyzed so the fake scion of an outdated party known for it's corruption can claim his ascent to the throne of power. The Sindh High Court should take suo moto notice.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:17pm
nothing new
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Oct 17, 2014 02:20pm
Bilawal should just live stream his speeches from bilawal house instead of creating such a ruckus
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Oct 17, 2014 02:22pm
Once upon a time PTI also had a rally at karachi. I hope people of karachi and pakistan can feel and see the difference.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:23pm
A gift from Bibi's baby to the people of Karachi. Yes we know the slogan Kal bhi Bhutto zinda tha. Aur aaj bhi zinda hai.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:23pm
Scary leaders leading the scared group of people who can't do anything except for paralyzing the city. They say whole Karachi roads will be open, but for sure there is a local news that Shara-e-Faisal in Karachi (Road connecting with almost every road of Karachi) which has never been blocked in the history will be blocked in evening of 17th Oct (I would have to leave early from office due to same hindrances).
He has scanned local homes nearing 1 KM of all four sides (4 KM collectively) and now network will be blocked.
He has spent around Rs. 1 billion on his advertisement of his Jalsa and maintained camp on the roads (Paralyzing the traffic).
What's this all going on in City of Quid? Did he ever think of such stupids coming and paralyzing the place? that too, on the votes of a class?
Really feel very embarrassed to say I am resident of KHI and that Quid's dream is falling apart.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:25pm
If PPP is so scared of any untoward incident, they should call off the rally. Its the reality that if they had done nothing good for people and now there are afraid of common men. Shame Shame
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Oct 17, 2014 02:29pm
Less crime in the world
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Oct 17, 2014 02:29pm
Is ko Jamhuriat nhai saada zaban main Badmashi kehtay hai.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:33pm
Whatever the idea beyond this all but question begets why to paralyze a city life for the political affairs? i guess politics is to maintain and rule the state not the state is a tool to play politics. for God sake grow up and bury the hatches.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:40pm
Who and what has Bilawal Bhutto Zardari ( the heir to the Bhutto Throne) to fear?? The way PPP is Disrupting life in Karachi is deplorable! BBZ please remember that you don't own this city and for that matter neither do you own Sindh!!
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Oct 17, 2014 02:40pm
How such a coward boy can be a leader. He has upset whole Karachi Jalsa.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:46pm
This is criminal. What authority a political party has to make life miserable for everyone for a baby boy of politics. Since PPP is in the government they should not create problems for the people. If he is so scared he should address the party workers and the crowd hired on rent on telephone from his bed room.
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Oct 17, 2014 02:50pm
Really it happens as I never see. That in India we heard that phone service is suspended... I think this is not good way for pak
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Oct 17, 2014 02:51pm
Is this boy going to be a leader? Close the whole city then
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Oct 17, 2014 02:53pm
This idea is copyrighted by Rehman Malik. Though he is no more interior minister, his idea is still alive.
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Oct 17, 2014 03:03pm
Zinda hay Bhutto Zinda hay!
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Oct 17, 2014 03:05pm
And then they say that this boy will compete with PTI-IK
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Oct 17, 2014 03:18pm
These actions will give further intensify general public's hatred towards PPP!
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Oct 17, 2014 03:21pm
Just because Bilawal Zardari wants to do a speech the whole city is suffering. Everyone lives are effected due to this PPP, if they are so scared then why don't they do Digital Conference.
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Oct 17, 2014 03:24pm
How can they suspend mobile phone service for a political rally ?
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Oct 17, 2014 03:34pm
Politics are not the game of a child. first of all Bilawal has request to speak urdu fluently then make a speech to public gathering. hahahahah
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Oct 17, 2014 03:50pm
They raise all hue and cry when PTI does a peaceful jalsa, while they block major roads leading to the airport, and now block mobile phones. So much for all TV anchors regarding PPP as a party representing a nation, while it only represents the feudal mindset. I wonder how many families will be attending since families need cell phones for reuniting incase of seperation etc at such events.
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Oct 17, 2014 03:53pm
What is he trying to achieve? He needs to learn a whole lot more before he comes into politics. And who is paying for all this - the billboards, the music, the 3000 buses, the trains, and other expenses? Hope it is from the Zardari funds and not from the Sindh govt funds or the tax payers. Now, mobiles will be off too. What a joke!
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Oct 17, 2014 03:55pm
They banned the TV camera drones as well--scared, they will show the real strength of the crowd of chained haris!
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Oct 17, 2014 04:09pm
Bilawal Bhutto aspiring to be a politician has miles to go before he reaches anywhere. He has also started on a wrong footing with this jalsa using public money , causing massive inconvenience for the people who he expects to vote for him at some point in time! This jalsa is supposed to be his political debut . I think Bilawal needs a reality check!
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Oct 17, 2014 04:14pm
Really? Suspension of mobile phone service in order for a transvestite kid to give his speech? Only in Pakistan!!!!!!!!
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Oct 17, 2014 04:17pm
Thank you Bilawal for making our lives miserable! This sure wont do anything for your political career.
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Oct 17, 2014 04:33pm
Of course this is the way a King would deal with his subjects, who cares about the rights of slaves(Pakistanis).
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Oct 17, 2014 04:34pm
"Democracy is the best revenge"!!! Yes, of course, PPP taking revenge from the people of Karachi by disrupting their lives in the name of 'PPP rally' funded by public money.
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Oct 17, 2014 04:35pm
whole city is captured by PPP and now going to turned off mobile service for political party rally. Why police requested and Sindh govt approved. Who borne the expense definitely from SST. Shame on PPP. deliver nothing but expense and expense.
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Oct 17, 2014 05:10pm
Shame on you PPP. You are making the life of Karachiites difficult.
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Oct 17, 2014 05:51pm
Bibi's little baby day out on tax payers money.
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Oct 17, 2014 05:51pm
Shame on Pakistan Peoples Party
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Oct 17, 2014 06:02pm
@Karachitte BHUTTO IS DEAD AND BURRIED.
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Oct 17, 2014 06:12pm
Were mobile services suspended during Imran Khan's jalsa?
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Oct 17, 2014 06:14pm
It seems, some of friends are unhappy that PPP is holding a public rally. There are two points to be made, first there are reall threats , 18 October 2007 and attack on BB in Rawalpindi - in which she lost her life along with several workers. Hundreds of PPP workers lost their lives on 18 October.
There are no serious threat to right-wing parties like PTI and there are no life threat to Imran Khan. The fact is left - wing parties and their leadership is under attack, so we shall resist to other ganderous threats to our society.
I can recall that hundered of times Krarachi has remained seized and under fear for several days for NOTHING important. We are used to bear that and lee should also allow to have political activity by cooprating to minimise the risks so that we can defeat the reall dangers to Pakistan.
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Oct 17, 2014 06:17pm
I don't want my phone to get blocked just because Prince Bilawal is doing his jalsa. I don't care about his lame Jalsa. I don't want my cellular network down!! They gave less than 10000 people for IK's jalsa where they have more than 50000 policemen for Bilawal's Jalsa and didn't suspend cellphone services during IK's Jalsa either. Is Bilawal's life more precious?
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Oct 17, 2014 06:47pm
Compare this to PTI rally in 2011:
- No cell phone services were blocked
- No public buses were hired
- No to little road blockades
- No widespread campaign on roadsides which chokes traffic on daily basis
PPP a tainted corrupt party, how dare they ruin my city?
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Oct 17, 2014 08:19pm
The show must go on
PTI started this trend of showing of their strength on street poor bilawal is just keeping up with it
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Oct 17, 2014 08:25pm
PTI ko bhi choro... Even MQM doesn't block cellular services or requests for it and they are notorious for their massive rallies in Karachi on a regular basis. Much bigger than Bilawal can even think of. Sorry excuse for a leader Bilawal is.
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Oct 17, 2014 08:30pm
Do people realize that Bhuuto's are all dead
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Oct 17, 2014 08:45pm
Fact: Bhutto family is all dead and buried... lol @ the transvestite kid comment above.. made my day. so funny (and true).
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Oct 17, 2014 08:51pm
Another thanks to bblawal, just keep on trying to shine at other people expense - should go back to England and live his days happily
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Oct 17, 2014 09:23pm
Really, pakistan is going back to stone age.
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Oct 17, 2014 09:31pm
Why dsnt he go back to UK and hv his fun and leave us poors with our problems created by his elders.
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Oct 17, 2014 10:42pm
A taste of their own medicine!! Remember, this suspension of mobile phone services was invented by yet another PPP VIP minister Mr Rehman Malik.
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Oct 17, 2014 10:57pm
@Karachitte kahan hai be??
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Oct 17, 2014 11:24pm
Now i want to hold a rally on 19th Oct.
Please close down the city on 19th too.
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Oct 17, 2014 11:49pm
@irfan I can bet, he will be PM sometime soon.
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Oct 17, 2014 11:54pm
@Aftab So what you are saying that PPP is no different then others?
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Oct 18, 2014 12:20am
The truth is PPP has no footing in Karachi. Period. All the might of the State machinery is being used for this jalsa. Almost 90% of the crowd will be from people residing outside Karachi. PPP is no more a National Party... It is just a Regional Party (Sindh).
As of now and in months to come they will have trouble even being a Sindhi Party.
PPP should wake up to the fact and reality that their time is over now.
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Oct 18, 2014 02:42am
@Aftab But why at the cost of the basic rights of citizens ? Why there is a dual policy ? Why Sindh government is involved ? Why police is afraid/scared ? If this is called DEMOCRACY ?
If there is a risk of breach of security and the Chief Monster, I mean Minister and the Police can not handle the situation, they better RESIGN/QUIT and let the BETTER PEOPLE come forward to serve the common man.
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Oct 18, 2014 02:57am
One reaction against VIP culture was not enough for PPP. They did not learn a lesson.They still think Karachi is their jageer.
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Oct 18, 2014 04:59am
Who give PPP government permission to band cell phone service?This is called misuse of power, If Pakistan had real democracy, you will not see this kind of illegal things in the government. PPP & PML-N don't care about average citizen's right. This really proves that Asif & Bilawal Zardari are scared of average citizens who will be attending their Jalsa. Same on PPP leadership.
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Oct 18, 2014 11:33am
I just dont understand why he still have 'Zardari' attached to his name. For that matter, I also don't understand why Asif Zardari still haven't changed his last name to 'Bhutto' yet.
These are the things he should clarify in his jalsa!
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