Cellular services restored in Karachi, Quetta

Rehman Malik ordered suspension as a measure to prevent terrorist activities.

QUETTA/ KARACHI: Cellular services have been restored in Karachi and Quetta, Express News reported on Friday.

The services were suspended in the two cities since 10am.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik ordered the suspension of cellphone services as a measure to prevent terrorist activities.

"The mobile phone services have been restored now in Karachi and Quetta," Ali Faysal, a senior official of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) told AFP.

Javed Odho, a senior police official in Karachi earlier told AFP that "police had intelligence reports about (the) possibility of a very big terrorist attack in Karachi and it was because of this reason that the mobile phone service was shut down".

"It is a preventative measure taken to effectively counter (the) terrorism threat," he said.

Odho said the decision was taken after top police officials held lengthy meetings. "Pros outweighed cons. This was the only effective way to block conversation of terrorists, who use mobile phones to plan attacks," he said.

Authorities feared that mobile phones could be used to coordinate attacks or trigger a remote-controlled bomb.

Odho said thousands of policemen have been deployed all over Karachi to perform duties alongside paramilitary rangers.

Security measures in Quetta

The government has imposed a ban on pillion riding and display of weapons in the Quetta city.

The ban will remain in effect for two months.

Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Durrani on Friday warned of a serious security threat especially during the first 10 days of Muharram.

"At least eight provincial districts have been declared sensitive and the army troops will be on call to deal with any untoward situation," Durrani said.

Correction: An earlier version of the story erroneously reported that the Sindh High Court ordered restoration of cellular services in Karachi. The error has been fixed.