The government on Friday suspended cellular phone services across the country for fear of terrorist attacks on various nationwide rallies taken out to mark the Youm-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (SAW), leaving the masses disconnected throughout the day.
The mobile phone services went offline as early as 4am on Friday, leaving users furious, besides isolated.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) suspended cellular services in 15 cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Multan, Murree, Khanewal and Chakwal to avert any untoward incident.
Those needing to get in touch were left with no other option but to use landline phones or wait until the service were resumed.
“I was surprised to see my phone having no network coverage. I kept on switching the phone on and off in hope of getting it right, until the time I came to know of the decision,” said Asif Javed, a resident of federal capital.
“It really felt strange as mobile phones have become such an integral part of our lives,” said another user.
Those having access to Internet used social media to contact friends or leave landline numbers for any needed communication.
Besides social isolation, the suspension of cellular service also impacted business services, particularly of companies whose services are based on GSM networks.
“We and thousands of our clients faced inconvenience due to the suspension of cellular network. We remained unable to communicate with them in case of car snatching or any other emergency,” said Jawad, a spokesman of a Lahore-based car-tracking company.
He said the company was working out a solution to use alternate methods for communication in case the mobile phone network was suspended.
However, Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said the suspension of cellular network was decided in national interest to secure the life and property of people, as there had been terror threats in some cities.