Authorities have decided to partially suspend mobile phone services in 24 districts of Punjab on Ashura as part of security measures. The restriction will apply only to sensitive areas around mourning processions and religious gatherings, while mobile services in other parts of the affected districts will continue to operate normally.
According to official sources, the districts where mobile services will be partially suspended at specific locations include Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Narowal, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Chiniot, Multan, Jhang, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Officials said the restrictions around procession routes and congregation sites will remain in place until 10:00 PM. Mobile phone services will remain fully operational in Lahore and all other districts of Punjab.
Sources said the Punjab Home Department had requested the federal government to impose the temporary restrictions on the recommendation of the police to maintain law and order and ensure public safety.
The department also provided the location coordinates of procession and gathering sites, after which the federal government directed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to implement partial mobile service suspensions at the designated locations.
Section 144 imposed in Punjab
The Punjab government imposed Section 144 across the province during Muharram-ul-Haram in order to maintain law and order and ensure security, and a formal notification has also been issued in this regard.
According to the issued notification, Section 144 will remain enforced throughout Punjab until June 26.
During this period, strict security arrangements have been made across the province, and a complete ban will be imposed on the display of all kinds of weapons and combustible materials in public places.
The notification further stated that the construction of bunkers on the rooftops of houses or other buildings located along the routes of mourning processions will be prohibited.
All Punjab theatres to remain shut until 13th Muharram
All theatres across Punjab will remain closed from the 1st to the 13th of Muharram-ul-Haram, and the Punjab Arts Council has issued a notification in this regard.
According to the notification, no theatre plays or cultural programmes will be held in theatres out of respect for Muharram-ul-Haram.
All theatres have been directed to ensure the implementation of the ban on stage dramas during Muharram-ul-Haram.
Meanwhile, extraordinary security arrangements have been completed for the five major Muharram processions in Lahore.
Personnel of the Pakistan Army and Rangers will be deployed at sensitive locations, while drone units will carry out continuous aerial surveillance and monitoring.
According to police officials, a special security plan will be enforced for the processions at Thokar Niaz Baig, Model Town, Shadman, and Pandu Street.
Metro Bus, Electric Bus services to remain suspended in twin cities during Ashura
Earlier, the Authorities decided to suspend Metro Bus and Electric Bus Services in Rawalpindi and Islamabad during the observance of 9th and 10th Muharram as part of security arrangements for religious processions and gatherings.
According to officials, the Metro Bus Service will remain completely closed from Saddar Station to the Pakistan Secretariat on both days. The suspension is aimed at ensuring smooth security operations and managing traffic along procession routes.
Also read: All Punjab theatres to remain shut until 13th Muharram
