Mobile service to be suspended in major Pak cities tomorrow

, July 19: Cellular services would be suspended and pillion riding banned on Sunday in

's major cities for security reasons, as Shia Muslims take out large processions to mark Youm-i-Ali.

The government has taken the decisions to avoid security risks on Youm-i-Ali (day of Hazrat Ali's martyrdom).

The four provincial governments have issued notifications in this regard and put officials on high alert in the cities.

The decision was taken to avoid security risks on Youm-i-Ali

Officials said the suspension of mobile phone services would come into effect from 4:00 AM (local time) to midnight tomorrow in major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.

Metal detectors and walk-through gates have been installed at all major congregation sites, an official said.

He said police officials have been assigned additional duties for the occasion.

"There would be a heavy presence of police and paramilitary rangers at all major congregation points in the major cities," the official said.

PTI