ISLAMABAD: Processions for 9th Muharram were taken out today amid tight security in different cities across the country.
A day earlier, a suicide bomber attacked Shia Imambargah near Quetta which left 10 people dead and over a dozen wounded.
Security arrangements were in place for the processions and the majalis. Further, cellular services in several cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and other major cities and towns were suspended.
According to reports, the interior ministry directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend cellular services in 68 districts across the country, including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Gilgit-Baltistan.
In addition to the suspension of cellular services, a ban has also been imposed on pillion riding of motorbikes in several metropolitan cities in the country.
Earlier today, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah chaired a high-level meeting to oversee overall security arrangements in Sindh.
The participants of the meeting discussed security situation during the month of Muharram, deployment of paramilitary forces and surveillance and intelligence system.
Sindh home minister, chief secretary DG Rangers, IGP principal secretary to CM, home secretary, additional IG Karachi, additional IG counter-terrorism department, additional IG special branch and others attended the meeting.
On Wednesday the provincial government had imposed a ban on pillion riding in various parts of Sindh, including Karachi, from late Tuesday night till Ashura (Muharram 10) in view of the security situation while the federal government also gave approval for suspending the cellular services on Ashura in at least eight districts of the province.
