No mobile phone service in Peshawar on Muharram 9, 10

Peshawar's Capital City Police Peshawar (CCPO) has announced the suspension of mobile phone services in the provincial capital on Muharram 9 and 10, which falls on 17 and 18 July, as a part of a security plan to maintain law and order during the holy month.

"The decision is taken to avoid any unfortunate incident during Ashura," CCPO said.

Earlier on July 5, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government decided to suspend mobile phone services in the sensitive districts of the province during the Ashura.

A high-level meeting to review the arrangements for the holy month of Muharram was held under the chair of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.

The meeting took a detailed review of the security plan and other arrangements to maintain law and order during the month.

While briefing the participants on the security plan and other arrangements for Muharram, it was told that Muharram processions and gatherings would be carried out in 14 districts of the province. Of which, eight districts have been reported as the most sensitive and the other six as sensitive in terms of law and order and security arrangements.

It was decided that about 40,000 security personnel would be deployed, whereas special contingents of FC and army would also be deployed for the security of processions and gatherings.

The CM directed for the provision of the financial resources to maintain the security. Moreover, he directed that religious leaders of different sects and elected public representatives should be approached to promote religious harmony and tolerance during Muharram.

On July 7, the district administration, police, 111 Brigade, and Civil Defence gave final approval to a comprehensive security plan for Muharramul Haram, which begins on Sunday.