Cellular services suspended in Karachi

KARACHI: The mobile phone services were suspended in Karachi as part of security arrangements for Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A).

The Sindh government has taken strict measures to ensure security of  Chehlum processions, deploying a large numbers of security personnel.   

A notification, issued by Sindh government on Thursday, said that cellular services will remain suspended from 10am until 10pm on Friday to maintain law and order.

A day earlier, The Sindh government had imposed a two-day ban on pillion riding across the province from November 9 to 10 in line with security arrangements.

The law enforcing agencies have been put on high alert to deal with any untoward incident in the province. Aerial surveillance of Chehlum processions will also be conducted to keep an eye on anti-state elements and terrorists.

Karachi's main artery M.A Jinnah Road have been blocked for traffic by placing shipping containers, with snipers deployed on roof tops along procession routes.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have also been installed to closely monitor activities on the procession routes under the Command and Control Center.

On Thursday, Sindh Home Minister, Sohail Anwar Khan Siyal chaired a meeting to finalize security arrangements for Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). The meeting was also attended by Home Secretary, Qazi Shahid Pervez; IG Sindh Police, AD Khawaja; zonal DIGs as well as officials from counter terrorism department and those from special branch of the police department.