ISLAMABAD: The government might order PTA to suspend cellular services in some sensitive areas, in an effort to foil attempted terrorist attacks on Ishq-e-Rasool Day, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Officials associated with the Ministry of Interior and other law enforcement agencies told The Express Tribune that they have recommended suspension of cell phone services.
"It's a strategy to avoid terror [attacks] on Friday," said an official.
Cellular services are likely to be suspended for some time in Karachi, some areas of Balochistan, Peshawar and surrounding areas of the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad, added the officials.
Meanwhile, security around diplomat entities and US organization offices as well as US Missions in Pakistan have been beefed up, said officials associated with National Counter Terrorism Authority.
PTA Spokesperson Malahat Rab, however, told The Express Tribune that they have not received any directives from the concerned authorities for suspending cellular services.
The government will announce the final decision later today.
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Great give people a holiday so when they are off from work for a whole day they can gather in huge numbers and burn private and public property. Who was the smart one which gave this idea of a holiday?
lolll Rehman malik? the guy who couldn't read Surah Ikhlas? HE will recommend what to do on Ishq-e-Rasool day? :D
@Sheikh Gabbar: Funny :)
Basically Muslims are not terrorists, but Western Countries make Muslims terrorists through their acts and deeds.Being a Muslims, we should boycott all European product . What will be your response?
Being a Muslims I request for every Muslim to please boycott USA & European products and buy chinese or korean products .which' ll harmful for them. Why not baba abdul rehman snatching all cellular phones from peoples to provide them safety.
Okkk so not in Lahore??
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: First you learn to respect the prophet and his teaching before asking others.........because of your mullas and brain washed people we muslims of USA cant live peacefully in our place. we are from pakistan and now we are ashamed to call our-self as Pakistani orgin..
@Khan of Cape Town: They do that too my friend. No electricity, no cellular service. Long weekend at home!
Can someone please witness the number of people who attend Fajr prayer?
Ban the cell phones in Pakistan for once and for all !
M. RAFIQUE ZAKARIA Karachi.
Oh no, how will PTI fanboys do the ishq-e-facebook then for Kaptaan
seriously Whats this? .....Such an immature approach it is
Ban Facebook, Ban Twitter, Ban Youtube now Ban Cellular Services. The Government in Islamabad can do nothing beyond agonizing the people of Pakistan..
Stop TV channels so that we all come out for a peaceful demo
This will only serve to accelerate capital outflow in the country.
Impose curfew in Pakistan, this is the only way citizens will be safe
While they are at it, they should also ban use of all vehicles. It has been established that terrorists use motor vehicles to from point A-B.
"The government might order PTA to suspend cellular services in some sensitive areas, in an effort to foil attempted terrorist attacks on Ishq-e-Rasool Day". “It’s a strategy to avoid terror [attacks] on Friday,” said an official
"Friday (Jumma) Prayers are special prayers in Islam".
"Islam is a religion of peace".
Does anyone see contrast in theory and practice of Islam in Land of Pure or it is only me?
Great! This NEWS speaks itself out about the incompetency of these people. They don't want anything in Pakistan to function normally.
Why don't they simply turn off electricity, instead of banning YouTube and Cellular services?
Madness at its peak
Our 'brilliant' govt. is thinking about shutting cellular services to curb terrorism..like pillion riding banned on bikes. What next, banning motor vehicles because they carry the terrorist around..or even better a permanent curfew so no body would come out of their houses and become a target for terrorists....sad how the govt. has failed so miserably at all levels..a complete meltdown!
Remember Remember....the 21st of September...when religious emotions were exited and capitalized to extract political gains
the darkest chapter in the history of this unlucky nation is about to begin.....and it would only end with violence and bloodshed to the point where people would start hating religion and politics and evolve into a civilized people
why doesnt the the govt close the cellular service the entire year? Almost the best way of keeping Pakistani citizen's safe in their own country.
Food for thought - is this suspension to avoid terror attack, or to please the Americans ?
Wow. Pakistan's become more and more like an Islamic North Korea.
Long weekend everyone. Don't waste time texting. Take this opportunity to build a panic room or escape tunnel in your house. Because one day they will come for you too...
Ishq-e-Rasool Day should be observed throughout the country with peace and harmony.
I will request the Christian and other communities to join Muslims of Pakistan to show that they also respect Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), like we respect Jesus Christ (Hazrat Essa) as one of our Prophet's among 1,24,000 Prophet's that were sent in the world from time to time by Al-Mighty Allah, the Creator of the entire universe.
The Onion has a cartoon which has four religious figures doing very rude things. Its captioned:
No One Murdered Because Of This ImageThe figures shown are Moses, Jesus, Buddha and Ganesha. As the Onion claims:
Though some members of the Jewish, Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist faiths were reportedly offended by the image, sources confirmed that upon seeing it, they simply shook their heads, rolled their eyes, and continued on with their day.That says it all.
I think Govt. has lost it completely. Instead of catching terrorists on information leads, ban everything.