Cellphone services to be suspended across Pakistan during Muharram processions

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Cellphone services will be suspended in at least 52 cities across Pakistan during Muharram processions on Tuesday and Wednesday, DawnNews reported.

The services will remain suspended from 8am to 10pm although some cities will experience partial suspension in sensitive areas only, a telecom official told DawnNews.

Services will be suspended in the federal capital, all provincial capitals, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

In Quetta, at least 7,000 police personnel will be deployed to guard the processions, revealed a senior police official.
In Lahore, around 20,000 policemen will be on duty, Additional IG (operations) retired Capt Arif Nawaz said.
In Karachi, tens of thousands of police personnel, Rangers men and plain clothes members of various other security agencies have been mobilised to keep a close watch on terrorists, criminals and miscreants amid an alert sounded for the next three days.

Nisar reviews law and order situation

A high-level security meeting was chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to review the security arrangements made for Muharram processions.

In the meeting it was decided cellular services would only be suspended for a minimum time to mitigate the general public's inconvenience.

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SYED A. MATEEN

Oct 10, 2016 07:37pm

Closure of cell phones during Muharram processions is one of the key decisions of the government to safe precious human lives from terrorists and anti-Pakistani elements.

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Lafanga

Oct 10, 2016 07:48pm

Suspending cell phone services is really a bad decision.I didn't notice this type of situation in any other country.There may be emergency situations arise, what will happen if cell phones are not working. Increasing security is a good decision, but suspending cell phone services is really a bad one.

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vinit

Oct 10, 2016 07:54pm

I dont understand how closing cell phones would save lives

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Kam

Oct 10, 2016 07:58pm

Looks like a strong intelligence report about terrorist cell activity

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SYED A. MATEEN

Oct 10, 2016 08:16pm

@LAFANGA: Introduction of cell phones technology in Pakistan is new comparing to developed countries. One should think of those days when people were totally dependent on landline telephones in Pakistan. I am sure that most of the people have landline telephone connections at their residences in addition to cell phones. I think one should not worry if cell phones are shut down for a day or two due to security reasons. @VINIT: If you take into consideration, terrorists used cell phones to kill people and to create choas in the country, as cell phones were used by terrorists as remote control bombs. Human lives are more precious than any other thing. I think this is a positive step taken by the federal and provincial governments. One should appreciate the efforts of the government, instead of criticizing on it.

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Mazhar

Oct 10, 2016 08:16pm

One of indicator of intelligence failure

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Mazhar

Oct 10, 2016 08:17pm

How LEA are failing to control peace

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Good Guy

Oct 10, 2016 08:23pm

Is this normal?

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AKB

Oct 10, 2016 08:28pm

Why to suspend cellphone services in the entire cities and in the areas where there are no Muharram processions?

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Think

Oct 10, 2016 08:27pm

Good measure by Pakistani government..Support from India..

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Nazir

Oct 10, 2016 08:35pm

@vinit cell phones are the triggers... By banning them, you stop one weapons mass murder...

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Ravi Vancouver

Oct 10, 2016 08:37pm

Suspending cellphone services is a temporary solution. Authorities need to work on reducing differences between ethnic communities. All spreading hatred among people on the basis of different beliefs need to be stopped and severely punished. No religion allow you to impose your views by force. Shias are also Muslims like any other sects of Sunni Muslims and have rights to celebrate their festivals freely.

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Tamilselvan

Oct 10, 2016 08:39pm

@Lafanga . Glad the administration is taking all steps to stop this Sunni vs Shia secretarian strife going on for centuries. As a responsible government it is good they are taking the steps to prevent spreading of rumors, texting wrong messages and sending pictures which could incite more violence. We hope the saner people of Pakistan realize that these steps needs to be taken in Kashmir too when rumors start spreading disturbances there,

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Ahmed bin Babar

Oct 10, 2016 08:47pm

What a mess in the 21st century..!

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hakim

Oct 10, 2016 08:50pm

Another way the people of Pakistan accept their incompetent leaders decisions. Basically the police, army and the politicians agree that we cannot defend you so we will punish you and keep you ignorant by suspending communications. Why do we have these security agencies, oh yes to keep our leaders safe not the public unless you can afford private security. The people of Pakistan should demand more from army, police and political leaders whatever party they belong to.

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Khurram

Oct 10, 2016 09:05pm

What about wireless internet services? Same 8 am to 10 pm?

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Indus

Oct 10, 2016 10:00pm

This situation should not have been there in the first place.

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Indian_Kashmiri_Muslim

Oct 10, 2016 10:15pm

In India during Muharram processions phone services never suspended!

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Lootra

Oct 10, 2016 10:31pm

The entire country? How are people supposed to reach their loved ones in an urgent or emergency circumstances?

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MARATHA

Oct 10, 2016 10:51pm

really?? i can't believe my eyes ?? by just discontinuing mobile service how could govt. save innocents?? it's happened only in pak !!

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tado ng

Oct 10, 2016 11:01pm

Bad decision... Please reconsider it.

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Iqbal

Oct 11, 2016 06:19am

Its government failure; for all kind of processions places be fixed. Roads/ streets and shopping areas should be clear of all other activities even protests.

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Zak

Oct 11, 2016 07:29am

@Indian_Kashmiri_Muslim : Not only in India, but also the whole world doesn't suspend the cell phone services. We experience this type of situation in only Pakistan.

Recommend 0

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