PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to partially suspend mobile phone services across selected areas of the province on the 9th and 10th of Muharram as part of enhanced security arrangements, officials said on Monday.
According to security officials, such a step has been taken to ensure law and order during the religious processions and gatherings and to avoid any untoward incident during the Ashura period.
It is learned that mobile phone services will be suspended on some sensitive places, whereas partial restrictions will be observed on other sensitive places, according to the level of security threats.
Officials said that hundreds of places have been declared as sensitive or highly sensitive including more than 400 Imam Bargahs. Besides, more than 286 processions have been declared as highly sensitive, while 190 processions have been declared as sensitive.
It is pertinent to mention here that mobile phone services will be partially suspended in the provincial capital Peshawar during 9th Muharram procession, whereas the cantonment area will be totally sealed during the period.
On 10th Muharram, the entire city will be put under security alert mode, and checkpoints will be erected at all entry and exit points. Meanwhile, walk-through gates will be set up on procession routes as well as in Imam Bargahs, and surveillance through CCTV cameras will be made.
Also, search operation will be carried out by the security forces in different places to guarantee the security of Muharram observance.
A control room for the security arrangements of Muharram has been set up in the Civil Secretariat by the provincial government. At the same time, monitoring and coordination centers have been set up in the office of deputy commissioners of all districts.
Citizens have been called upon by the authorities to assist in observing Ashura safely and peacefully within the province.
