Pakistan suspends mobile services for security during Chehlum

Cell phone services were today suspended across Pakistan as part of heavy security measures during the observance of 'Chehlum', a festival of minority Shia community.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority had directed officials to restrict mobile phone services in 22 Pakistani cities. Cellular and wireless services will remain shut until 7 pm today.
Arrangements for strict security measures have been made across the country. An Inter-Services Public Relations spokesman said 10,000 army men would be working with the civil administration for maintaining law and order.
The troop deployment has been made on the request of the federal and provincial governments.
Sources said additional contingents of paramilitary Rangers would also be on standby in those cities declared most sensitive.

In Sindh, a ban on pillion riding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana, the province's four main cities have been imposed.
In Rawalpindi, pillion riding has been banned for the occasion. Law enforcers were asked to conduct strict checking at all entry and exit points of the city, where a ban has also been imposed on carrying weapons.