Outcry in Quetta over cellular service suspension

Locals questioned the legality of this decision, urging federal & provincial govt to adopt other security measures

QUETTA: Citizens in the provincial capital complained of immense hardships caused by the government’s decision to suspend cellular services in the city on Monday on account of the procession of 9th Muharram.

Following security threats, the federal government had ordered the suspension of cellular services in Quetta during 7th and 9th Muharram processions, causing hardships for citizens as they were unable to contact their loved ones.

Locals questioned the legality of such a decision while urging the federal and provincial governments to adopt other security measures instead of suspension of cellular service.

Meanwhile, another notification, issued on Sunday, stated that cellular services in Quetta would be suspended from 6:00 am to 08:00 pm on the 9th and 10th Muharram. “There isn’t any justification in suspending cellular service across Quetta. It should have been suspended only along procession routes as was done in other major cities,” said one citizen while speaking to The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 10^th, 2019.