Sindh government has issued a red alert across
the province, with aerial monitoring of
processions in place.Pillion Ride also banned
Staff Reporter
Karachi: Mobile phone services suspended in major cities of Sindh today to mark the occasion of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s Chehlam. The Sindh Home Department announced the closure of services to ensure security during the observance.
In Karachi, the suspension from 8 am to 11 pm, while in Hyderabad, it will last from 9 am to 8 pm. Other cities affected include Mirpurkhas (7 am to 9 pm), Shaheed Benazirabad (10 am to 8 pm), Larkana (8 am to 11 pm), and Khairpur (8 am to 8 pm).
Late last night, mobile services were already shut down in Karachi, with signals from Ufone, Telenor, and Mobilink suspended across the city.
The Sindh government had earlier recommended an immediate suspension of mobile services across the province, citing security concerns for Chehlam Imam Hussain (AS). The Sindh Home Department sent an official letter to the Federal Ministry of Interior, requesting the suspension in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, and Khairpur starting Sunday night.
According to the Sindh Home Department, the decision followed a request from the Sindh Police to ensure public safety. Consequently, mobile phone services began to be suspended in Karachi late at night.
The Chehlam of the martyrs of Karbala is being observed with solemnity across the country and around the world today. In Islamabad, the main procession followed its designated routes and concluded at Imam Bargah Azna Ashri. In Karachi, strict security measures have been implemented for the Chehlam procession, with roads and streets around the procession routes blocked by containers. Mobile phone services were gradually halted in various parts of the city starting from the night.
In addition to the mobile service suspension, the Sindh government has issued a red alert across the province, with aerial monitoring of processions in place. Double riding of motorcycles is also banned throughout Sindh as a precautionary measure.