Mobile phone service has been partially suspended in Rawalpindi and several other cities across Pakistan as a security measure during the observance of the chehlum of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and other martyrs of Karbala.
In Rawalpindi, signals are absent along the traditional route of the main chehlum procession, although mobile service remains active in other parts of the city and neighbouring Islamabad.
However, in Karachi, the mobile phone service began to shut down in various areas earlier in the morning on Monday.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) formally announced the suspension of mobile services in six cities of Sindh, including Karachi, Khairpur, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, and Shikarpur. This decision was made following orders from the Interior Ministry, aimed at maintaining law and order during the chehlum events in the city.
The Sindh Home Department had said on Sunday the suspension will also affect Hyderabad, Thatta, Dadu, Sajawal, and Badin, as well as Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad, Khairpur, Rohri, and Larkana.
The PTA confirmed that mobile services will remain closed throughout the day to ensure security during the chehlum processions. Authorities have emphasized that the suspension of mobile services is a temporary but necessary step to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents.
The PTA said the step was taken to maintain law and order and security in Sindh.
