PTA decides to suspend cellular services throughout the country

ISLAMABAD: The Pak­istan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Sunday informed that mobile phone services would remain suspended on the 9th and 10th of Muharram for security reasons in specified areas of all the cities across the country.

However, the PTA did not confirm the timings, the cellular services, particularly in areas through which processions pass, are expected to remain suspended from morning till 6 pm on 9th and 10th of Muharram.

The Government has issued a notification instructing the suspension of mobile phone services, informed by a senior official of the Ministry of Interior. The specific areas termed as sensitive by the district administration and police will expect suspended cellular services. It is for the safety and security of the mourners.

The instructions to suspend both mobile and broadband services are passed down from the Ministry of Interior to the PTA, which ensures its implementation by passing the orders to all the network and broadband operators.

For the past few years, the authorities concerned have been suspending cellular services in the specific areas where Muharram processions are usually held, without disrupting the mobile phone services in other parts of the city.