QUETTA: The Baloch­istan government has decided to suspend mobile phone and internet services in the provincial capital and some other sensitive districts during four days of Muharram.

“Mobile and internet services will remain suspended from 7 to 10 of Muharram in Quetta,” a home department notification said. It said that on 9th and 10th of Muharram, these services will remain suspended in Kachhi, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, and Usta Muhammad districts as well.

It said that over 18,000 security personnel will be deployed in Quetta on Youm-i-Ashur and five platoons of the army’s Quick Reaction Force will be on standby, and two helicopters will be available for aerial monitoring of the processions on 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram.

There will be a ban on pillion riding under Section 144 in seven districts of the province.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2024