The mobile phone services will remain suspended in several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) during Muharram. As per details, the police officials stated that a letter has been sent to the home ministry seeking the suspension of mobile phone services on 9 and 10 Muharram. The official further said that measures have been taken to ensure foolproof security across the province during Muharram. Earlier, the federal government approved the deployment of armed forces across the country to ensure security during the month of Muharram.

The move comes at the request of the authorities in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to deploy military to control the law and order situation. The Centre, under Article 245 of the Constitution, authorized the “deployment of army troops/assets and civil armed forces troops/assets” to ensure peace. It is pertinent to mention here that Ashura will be observed in Pakistan on July 17 (Wednesday). The provincial government has imposed a ban on pillion riding in Sindh during 10 days of Muharram. Ashura is observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year, which marks the great martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan