Cellular services suspended in parts of Karachi

KARACHI: The cellular services in the city have been partially suspended on Friday as a part of security arrangements for Muharram processions and congregations.

The Sindh government has requested the federal government to suspend mobile services in parts of Karachi from 10am to 10pm on eight Muharram, in areas where the processions will pass through.

The security move has come with problems for the residents to perform their routine tasks.

On the other hand, internet services were also observed to have been disrupted in some areas of the metropolis.

Moreover, the cellular services suspension in the city will continue for next two days on account of 9^th and 10^th Muharram.

Earlier this week, provincial home minister Sohail Anwar Khan Siyal had approached the federal interior ministry to suspend mobile phone services in major cities of the province during 9^th and 10^th Muharram.

In view of Muharram processions, Karachi traffic police has announced alternate routes and traffic arrangements for the next three days.

As per details, M. A. Jinnah Road has been divided into 23 sub-sectors, while shops and all of the 287 entry points to M.A. Jinnah Road have been sealed. The main congregation centre, Nishtar Park, has been divided into nine sectors.

Police officials and sniper squads will be deployed at 124 buildings from Nishtar Park to M.A. Jinnah Road. The main congregations and Muharram processions will start after getting clearance from bomb disposal squad.

Pillion riding has been banned across Sindh on 8th, 9th and 10th Muharram.