LAHORE - The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has directed mobile phone companies to take necessary steps to suspend mobile phone services on the account of Youm-e-Ali (RA) in different cities on Sunday.
However, excluding Lahore and Karachi, the PTA is yet to announce the areas where the services will remain suspended. Sources said that the mobile service is likely to be closed from early morning to mid day. Pillion riding will also be banned on Sunday for 24 hours in Lahore.
“The ban on pillion riding and the suspension of mobile phone services will begin around 8am - before the start of the rally - and will resume following the end of the rally,” said sources.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif issued instructions for making foolproof security arrangements on Youm-e-Ali (RA) across the province, especially in Lahore. Presiding over a meeting on law and order, the CM ordered the close monitoring of processions, saying that a security plan had been developed for the day. He also directed for strict checking of the entry and exit points of Punjab using digital technology.
Section 144 was also imposed in Peshawar by Deputy Commissioner Zahirul Islam who also announced a ban on pillion riding. All routes leading to prominent Imambargahs in the city were sealed to control traffic and security would be beefed up along the procession routes.