Government to suspend cellular services in major cities on Friday

In order to avoid any untoward incident, mobile phone services will remain suspended in major cities of the country during countrywide protest called by the government against the release of anti-Islam film.

However, some media reports claimed that the final decision to suspend cellular services in some sensitive areas will be taken be Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

According to the reports, the law enforcement agencies recommended suspension of mobile phone services in order to avoid any terrorist activities.

The services likely to be suspended for few areas in Karachi, some areas of Balochistan, Peshawar and surrounding areas of the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad.

PTA Spokesperson Malahat Rab, however, said that they have not received any directives from the concerned authorities for suspending cellular services.

One TV channel claimed that the government has decided to suspend mobile phone service in Karachi, Lahore and other cities from 9:00am to 11:00pm.

It is vital to mention here that the PTA had blocked the service during the Eid-ul-Fitr to avoid any untoward incident.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik issued warning saying that militants could target rallies on Friday.

While presiding over a high-level meeting, Malik directed the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to step up security during the protest demonstrations.

He assured that the government would provide complete protection to the peaceful rallies and ordered LEAs not to allow anyone to disrupt order.

The minister observed, “The National Crisis Management Cell will monitor the protest demonstrations while all the staff at hospitals will be kept on alert. In case anyone spots a suspicious individual or anything he/she should inform about the same at telephone no: 051-9211224”.

The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday announced a public holiday to observe Yaume Ishq-e-Rasool (Day of Prophet Mohammad’s love) across the country on September 21 (Friday) against the US-made anti-Islam film.

The cabinet also said that the ruling Pakistan People’s Party will also take part in the protests against the release of the blasphemous movie.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=32961

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Sep 20 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.