Cellular services in several parts of the country were suspended on Sunday evening as Interior Minister Rehman Malik said there was credible information that anti-state elements would attempt to carry out terrorism in some cities, especially Lahore, Multan and Karachi, during Eidul Fitr festivities.
During a high-level meeting, Interior Minister Malik and officials from the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority decided that cellular phone services would be suspended for a few hours in certain areas to tackle the potential threats.
Malik said mobile services may be suspended in risk-prone areas during Eid prayers and for up to 2.5 hours in the evening due to terror threats. He, however, clarified that mobile services would not be shut across the country. In this connection, cellular service providers were informed by the Interior Ministry that they might be asked to shut down services in certain areas of the country between August 19 and August 20. According to a letter issued by the ministry’s National Crisis Management Cell to the CEOs of the companies, the authority aims to cut off communication capabilities of miscreants and terrorists to foil their plans.The companies have been alerted beforehand so that action can be taken promptly, the letter stated. TV channels reported that cellular services in Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Quetta were suspended on Sunday evening and citizens experienced connection problems throughout the night. The government had earlier blocked cellular services in Quetta on Independence Day to thwart terrorist attacks. Meanwhile, strict security measures have been put in place to ensure that citizens enjoy the Eid festivities in a safe and secure environment.
Lahore, Multan, Karachi under terror threat
